National Deworming Day (NDD) 2023 was observed today at Khliehriat Higher Secondary School.
The programme was organised by the office of the District Medical and Health Officer for East Jaintia Hills with the objective of deworming all school children between the ages of 1 to 19 at schools and anganwadi centres.
Dr NP Suchiang, DIO in charge of East Jaintia Hills informed the students present at the programme that NDD was launched in 2015 and is organised twice a year in April and October to ensure that each and every child in India is worm-free. She further explained how intestinal parasitic worms enter the human body, the signs and symptoms and also stressed on the importance of maintaining good personal hygiene to fight and prevent intestinal worm infection.
“Albendazole (a common deworming medicine) is a very safe drug for deworming that can be crushed, chewed, and swallowed with a glass of water,” she explained to the students while encouraging them not to miss their dose.
A ‘mop-up’ day for those children who missed out today will be held on April 21.
