Chandigarh/SAS Nagar, August 25: Health and Family Welfare minister Mr Balbir Singh Sidhu on Wednesday launched the state-level National Deworming Day (NDD) campaign at a government senior secondary school in Bakarpur village in Mohali here.
Speaking at the event, the minister said that all the children in the age group of 1-19 years would be administered Albendazole tablets free of cost during the NDD.
He informed that children who could not be dewormed on this day, due to absenteeism or sickness will be given the tablet on Mop-up day-September 1. Unregistered and out of school children too will be dewormed at the Anganwari Centres and schools.
Sidhu said the medicines would be administered by the health workers, anganwadi workers at anganwadi centres and schools across the state. Underlining the need for the tablets for children, Mr Sidhu added that worms can make the child weak, anaemic and undernourished.
He emphasized on maintaining personal hygiene and sanitation practices to prevent parasitic worm infection. He said that worm infections can be prevented by adopting hygienic practices like washing hands before and after meal, drinking potable water, not defecating in the open, washing fruits and vegetables with clean water, keeping surroundings clean and by avoiding walking barefoot.
The minister also explained how intestinal worms adversely affect the physical and mental development of a child. Apart from being dewormed, maintaining healthy and hygienic practices will help children and communities remain safe from worm infections.
Urging all the stakeholders to come forward and participate in this initiative, the minister stated that the aim of a worm-free India can be true only if we all join hands to make this program a success.
“I would request all health functionaries and other stakeholders to participate in the program and see to it that we make this program a success.” said Mr Sidhu.”
Political Secretary to Health Minister Harkesh Chand Sharma Machhli Kalan, Director Health Services Dr G.B.Singh, Director family welfare Dr Andesh Kang, Civil Surgeon Dr Adarshpal Kaur, Assistant Director Dr Sukhdeep Kaur, District Immunization Officer Dr Girish Dogra, Senior Medical officer Dr Surinder Kaur, Dr Anil Vashist, Health Educator Snigdha and other staff were present on the occasion.
