First National Deworming Day observed on 10 February

First National Deworming Day was observed on 10 February.
On the eve of the National Deworming Day, Union Ministry for Health & Family Welfare launched the National Deworming initiative.
It was launched by Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare Jagat Prakash Nadda in Jaipur, Rajasthan.

National Deworming initiative

• Aim: To protect more than 24 crore children in India between the age of 1 to 19 years from intestinal worms. It also aims target intestinal parasitic worms among the children to achieve status of being Worm-free.
• It is one of the largest programmes in the world undertaken to deworm children.
• In the first phase, about 14 crore children will be covered across eleven States/UT. They are, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Dadra & Nagar Haveli, Haryana, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu and Tripura.
• Albendazole tablets will be given to all targeted children in first phase. Dosage of half tablet to 1-2 years children and one full tablet for 2-19 years will be given.
• While in second phase, nearly 10 crore children will be targeted between 11 February and 14 February 2015.

Parasitic worms infestation

Worms interfere with nutrient uptake in small children causing parasitic infestation. It leads to severe complications among the children resulting in anemia, malnutrition and improper mental and physical development.
According to World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates, nearly 24 crore children in India in the age group of 1-14 years are at risk of intestinal parasitic worm infestation.

Month: Current Affairs - February, 2015