National Deworming Day 2021
The National Deworming Day is an initiative of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India to make every child in the country worm-free. This is one of the largest public health programs reaching large number of children during a short period.
According to World Health Organization, around 24 % of world population is infected with soil-transmitted helminths. 241 million children between the ages of 1 and 14 years are at risk of parasitic intestinal worms in India, also known as Soil-Transmitted Helminths (STH). Almost 7 in 10 children between 6-59 months age are anaemic, with even higher rates of anaemia in rural areas.
About STH:
Helminths (worms) which are transmitted through soil contaminated with faecal matter are called soil-transmitted helminths (Intestinal parasitic worms). Roundworm (Ascaris lumbricoides), whipworm (Trichuris trichiura) and hookworms (Necator americanus and Ancylostoma duodenale) are worms that infect people.
STH infections can lead to anemia, malnutrition, impaired mental and physical & cognitive development, and reduced school participation.
STH Infections can be prevented by:
● Using sanitary toilets, not defecating outside
● Hand-washing, particularly before eating and after using toilets
● Wearing slippers and shoes
● Washing fruits and vegetables in safe and clean water
● Eating properly cooked food
Objective of National Deworming Day:
The objective of National Deworming Day is to deworm all preschool and school-age children (enrolled and non-enrolled) between the ages of 1-19 years through the platform of schools and Anganwadi Centers in order to improve their overall health, nutritional status, access to education and quality of life.
Key stakeholders:
The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India is the nodal agency for providing all States/UTs with guidelines related to National Deworming Day (NDD) implementation at all levels.
The programme is being implemented through the combined efforts of Department of School Education and Literacy under Ministry of Human Resource and Development, Ministry of Women and Child Development and Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation
Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Ministry of Rural Development, Ministry of Urban Development, and Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) also provide support to deworming program.
NDD Implementation
NDD (first round) is conducted on February 10 each year. Bi-annual round of deworming is recommended in the States where prevalence of STH infection is more than 20% and annual round in other (less than 20% prevalence) states. Only two States namely Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh have reported less than 20% prevalence and recommended for annual round. All the remaining States/UTs are implementing bi-annual round of deworming.
The first round of NDD was conducted in February 2015.
To increase programme outreach to private schools and maximize deworming benefits for large number of children various awareness activities (media mix) are involved under the programme. The awareness campaign spreads awareness about importance and benefits of dewarming, as well as prevention strategies related to improved behaviors and practices for hygiene and sanitation.
National Deworming Day Toolkit 2020
Frequently asked questions(FAQs) may be accessed from: National Deworming Day- Operational Guidelines , Mohfw, Government of India(Annexure 6, Page No.33)
References-
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/soil-transmitted-helminth-infections
