Dehradun: The National Health Mission (NHM) organized National Deworming Day on April 8, 2025, at the Government Girls’ Inter College, Rajpur. The campaign aims to safeguard children aged between 1 to 18 years from health issues caused by parasitic worm infections and improve their overall development.
Swati S. Bhadauria, Mission Director, NHM Uttarakhand, stated that the main goal of this initiative is to improve the nutritional status, cognitive development, and quality of life of children and adolescents. She explained that worm infections can severely impact children’s health, hindering their physical and mental growth. Albendazole has been identified as a safe and effective medication for deworming.
The campaign will cover children in private schools, colleges, coaching centres, Anganwadi centres, and urban slum areas under primary health centres. Children not attending schools will be encouraged by ASHA workers to visit Anganwadi centres for medication. Efforts are also being made to ensure maximum attendance in schools and educational institutions to expand the reach of the deworming programme.
Jharnna Kamthan, Director General of School Education, highlighted that this initiative by the Government of India is part of a broader strategy to eliminate worm infections in children and adolescents. She emphasized the importance of a healthy childhood in building a strong society and nation.
Children not registered with schools or Anganwadi centres will be identified with the help of the Urban Development Department, ICDS, and ASHA workers and provided medication through outreach camps. The campaign is being specifically implemented in Dehradun, Nainital, Haridwar, Udham Singh Nagar, and Pauri districts.
Under this initiative, Deworming Day is being observed on April 8, while a mop-up round will be held on April 16 for children who missed the first round. The campaign targets over 36 lakh children aged 1 to 19 years across all 13 districts of Uttarakhand, administering 400 mg of Albendazole tablets.
The National Deworming Programme also supports the Anemia Mukt Bharat mission and aligns with the goals of the National Nutrition Policy and Swachh Bharat Mission. Training sessions have been conducted for Anganwadi workers, nodal teachers, and health workers to ensure smooth implementation.
Adverse effects of Albendazole are rare and usually occur only in children with heavy worm infestations. To handle any medical emergencies, RBSK mobile teams, along with 104 and 108 helpline services, have been activated. Service providers have access to ANMs, government hospitals, and helpline numbers to address any untoward incidents. The health department has enforced strict guidelines and policies to minimize adverse outcomes.
Attendees for the event included Dr. Manoj Upreti (Director, Health Directorate), Dr. Manu Jain (Director, NHM), Dr. Manoj Sharma (CMO, Dehradun), Dr. Pallavi (Deputy Director, School Education), Dr. Archana Ojha, Dr. Ajay Nagarkar (Assistant Director, NHM), Premlata Baudai (Principal, GGIC Rajpur), Pankaj Singh (RBSK Consultant), and Dr. Aanchal, among others.
