Deworming tablets for 4.72 lakh children

As many as 4,72,382 children, aged between one and 19 years, will be given deworming tablets in the district as part of National Deworming Day on February 12, District Health Officer Dr Ramakrishna Rao said.

Briefing reporters here, he said the government has made it mandatory to give tablets in private schools as well.

The Albendazole tablets will be distributed and administered to children in the district through government, aided, unaided schools, anganwadis and daycare centres. Children, between one and two years of   age, will be given half-a-tablet while those, who are aged two to 19 years, will be given one tablet each. There are no side effects, he added.

Worm infection leads to absence from school and also affects the growth of the child. "If, the child is suffering from any disease, then it is better not to ask the child to have the tablet. The tablet needs to be chewed," Dr Ramakrishna advised.

The DHO said that the burden of disease from worms is mainly attributed to chronic and insidious impact on the health and quality of life of the infected. Infections of heavy intensity reduce physical growth and cognitive development and result in deficiencies of nutrients.

"Open defecation, failing to wash hands before consumption of food, walking barefoot, consuming fruits and vegetables without washing them are some of the reasons for the entry of hook worm, whip worm and round worm into the body of children," he said.

The tablets will be distributed in 2,104 anganwadi centres, 918 government primary schools, 210 aided schools and 29 residential schools.