National Deworming day launched in West Jaiñtia Hills District

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaApril 25, 2019

JOWAI: The office of the District Medical and Health Officer, West Jaiñtia Hills today launched the National Deworming day in the District at Government Boys Higher Secondary School, Jowai,   an initiative of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India launched in the year 2015, to make every child in the country worm free. Deworming tablets were also administered to the students.

Dr. E Challam, Additional District Medical & Health Officer in her keynote address, said that the objective of the National Deworming Day is to deworm and to save all children from worm infection. According to WHO India has the highest burden of soil transmitted Helminths parasite worms in the world and this parasite worms if present in the child will interfere in the health condition and physical development.

She informed that kids at the age 1-2 are given half a tablet of Albendazole (400 mg) and above the age of 2 are given full tablet to chew, through school under supervision of teachers and at Anganwadi centres under the supervision of the Anganwadi workers. She furthers informed that even out of school children are included will be administered at Anganwadi centres.

She said besides the Deworming tablet, proper hand sanitization has to be practice every day especially before eating and after using toilets and even vegetables and fruits need to be wash properly before cutting, peeling, eating or cooking because washing reduces the bacteria present in the vegetables.

She has furthered informed that Deworming tablet has been administered free cost at  schools and Anganwadi centres and for those children who are not present today will be administered  on 30^th April, 2019 ‘Mop up day’ to ensure that no child is left out.

Dr. DM Blah, Deputy Director, DHS, Shillong, Smt. D. Khongiong, Joint Director of School Education and Literacy, Dr. (Mrs) L M. Darnei, District Mission Coordinator, SSA-SEMAM, Jowai, teachers, doctors and staffs from Health department were also present.

The programme was chaired by Dr. AC Ajar Chyne, District Medical & Health Officer, Jowai. The welcomed address was delivered by P Passah, Principal Government Boys Higher Secondary, Jowai and MK Augustine Iano, Dsitrict Coordinator; West Jaintia Hills offered the vote of thanks.