Union Ministry for Health & Family Welfare launched National Deworming Initiative

The Union Ministry for Health & Family Welfare on 9 February 2015 launched the National Deworming initiative on the eve of the National Deworming Day at Jaipur.

The initiative is aimed at protecting more than 24 crore children in the ages of 1-19 years from intestinal worms. This initiative aims to target intestinal parasitic worms among the children to achieve status of being Worm-free.

According to WHO estimates, nearly 24 crore children in India in the age group of 1-14 years are at risk of intestinal parasitic worm infestation.

Highlights of the National Deworming Initiative
• In the first phase, about 14 crore children across eleven States/UT of Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Dadra & Nagar Haveli, Haryana, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu and Tripura will be covered.
• Nearly 10 crore children will be targeted in the second phase.
• In the first phase beginning from 10 February 2015, Albendazole tablets will be given to all targeted children; half tablet to 1-2 years children and one full tablet for 2-19 years.
• The left-out children will be covered by a mop-up round that will be carried out till 14 February 2015.
• The initiative was launched with the technical assistance of Evidence Action's Deworm the World Initiatives which works with the state governments in Delhi, Bihar, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.