Under the guidance of Civil Surgeon Fazilka, Dr. Chander Shekhar Kakkar, the Health Department has announced that Albendazole tablets will be administered to children on November 28 as part of the De-Worming Day initiative. To raise awareness about the campaign, a poster was unveiled today at the Civil Surgeon’s office in Fazilka.
The event was attended by District Family Welfare Officer Dr. Kavita Singh, District Immunization Officer Dr. Rinku Chawla, District Dental Officer Dr. Pankaj Chauhan, and representatives from the Mass Media Branch, including Mr. Divesh Kumar and Mr. Harmit Singh. District Coordinators Baljeet Singh and Mon Shukla were also present.
De-Worming Day: A Step Towards Better Health
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Kavita Singh and Dr. Rinku Chawla highlighted that approximately 3.15 lakh children aged 1 to 19 years across 713 schools and 1060 Anganwadi centers in the district are targeted for de-worming. Special medical teams have been constituted to implement the campaign effectively.
They emphasized that intestinal worms are one of the causes of anemia in children and hinder both their physical and mental development. Parents and teachers were urged to focus on hygiene practices such as washing hands thoroughly before and after meals, and after using the toilet, to prevent infections.
Campaign Implementation
The Health Department celebrates De-Worming Day twice a year. Children who miss the dose on November 28 will be given the medication on a mop-up day, December 5.
Appeal to the Community
Dr. Kavita Singh and Dr. Rinku Chawla appealed to school teachers, ICDS department workers, and parents to actively participate in the campaign and support the Health Department’s efforts to make this initiative a success.
Significance of De-Worming
Worm infestations in children can lead to poor nutrition, stunted growth, and reduced academic performance. By ensuring de-worming for all children, the campaign aims to promote their overall health and development.