National Deworming Day 2017 observed in India

The National Deworming Day was observed on 10 February 2017 in India with an aim to tackle worm infections in children.

This year, the National Deworming Day initiative was aimed at reaching approximately 34 crore children in the age group of 1-19 years in government-aided schools, anganwadis, and private schools in 34 states of the country.

The day is generally marked by events and awareness programmes that are conducted by Department of School Education and Literacy under Union Ministry of Human Resource and Development, Union Ministry of Women and Child Development and Union Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation.

Moreover, a coordinated effort is also rolled out across the country with tablets and communication material. Reporting forms are also delivered to every school and anganwadi for the deworming program.

Background
• India owns the highest burden of worm infections in the world with the WHO estimating in 2014 that over 22 crore Indian children aged 1-14 years are at risk.
• Intestinal worm infections act as a deterrent to children’s growth and development, and can adversely impact performance in school, and livelihood potential later in life.
• In such cases, deworming with the safe and beneficial Albendazole 400 mg tablet is an effective solution to controlling worm infections.
• Deworming may have very few side effects and some children might experience nausea, mild abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhoea and fatigue.
• Apart from being dewormed, maintaining healthy and hygienic practices help children and communities  to remain safe from worm infections.