Nagaland along with the rest of the country would launch the 2nd phase of National De-worming Day (NDD) on August 9 with an aim to improve the overall health, nutritional status, access to education and quality of life of children.
A press note by mission director NHM Nagaland, Dr. Yankho Lotha stated the department of Health & Family Welfare in co-ordination with the department of School Education and Social Welfare will roll out the NDD in all government and private schools and Anganwadi centres in the state.
The observance would focus on de-worming of children in the age group 1-19 years on August 10 which would be followed by a mop-up day (MUD) on August 17, wherein during the MUD those children who missed the dose on August 10 would be de-wormed.
It further stated that for this year the department had target to cover a total of 850000 children in the age group of 1-19 years during the NDD and MUD.
In Dimapur district level committee held a meeting on August 5, at DC’s conference hall. At the meeting, DPO (RCH/UIP) Dr. Lanuakum oriented the members on the initiative of the GoI, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare to deworm all children aged (1 to 19 years).
He informed that National Deworming Day (NDD) is a mass deworming of children on a fixed day approach by giving Albendazole tablet all over the country on August 10, and a Mop-up Day to be followed on August 17, to those children who were missed on NDD.
He also informed that worms cause anemia, nutritional impairment, thereby impairing mental and physical development.
Dr. Lanuakum further appreciated the administration, social welfare dept and education Department for their co-operation and support during the previous round and requested to further continue their support in the upcoming NDD.
Earlier, the meeting was chaired by SDO (c) Sadar Moa Sangtam where he urged the stakeholders to continue their support and co-ordinate with the Health Department for a successful implementation of the deworming activity.
Later, vote of thanks was delivered by Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr. Antoly.
The meeting was attended by various stakeholders including District Education Officer (DEO), EBRC Block co-ordinators, CDPOs, Supervisors (ICDS) and staff under CMO Dimapur.
With an aim to dewormed all children from 1 year to 19 years who are at risk of parasitic intestinal worm infections known as Soil Transmitted Helminths (STH) Dimapur District would be observed National Deworming Day on August 10, along with the rest of the country. National Deworm.