Delhi govt launches third round of school-based programme to treat 3.7 mn children for parasitic worms

Deworming will take place in 11500 anganwadis and 3032 schools across 12 districts in Delhi on 16 April 2015; mop-up day is scheduled for 20 April 2015

The Directorate of Health Services in collaboration with the Department of Family Welfare and with technical assistance from Evidence Action’s Deworm the World Initiative launched the state level programme of the ‘National Deworming Day.’ The anganwadi and school-based deworming programme will be implemented across 3032 schools and 11500 anganwadis in Delhi on April 16, 2015. A mop-up day is scheduled for April 20 to cover all those children who were absent.

Dr Subodh Kumar Mishra, Director, School Health Scheme in his welcome address said, “School level mass based deworming program is a commendable initiative by the Delhi Government. This program will not only help children get dewormed, but will also help to address other issues like anemia and malnutrition in growing children”

Addressing the children at the launch of Delhi Deworming Day, Chief Guest, Satyendar Jain, Minister of Health, Government of Delhi said, “Over 25 per cent children in Delhi are suffering from worm infestations. These worms act as parasites and suck up all the nutrition. I am happy that we are launching this program across Delhi, wherein administration of just one drug dose will help be worm free and healthy. He also added, “Right now we are rolling out this program in Government and government-aided school, however we are looking at rolling out this program in private schools as well.”

In Delhi, Albendazole will be administered to school-age children in government and government-aided schools. This is the third mass deworming round in the state since 2012. The current round targets 3.7 million children in Delhi.

In line with any mass-based public health initiative, comprehensive adverse event protocols have been put in place with comprehensive training for 461 officials at the state level of the Departments of Health, Education and Women and Child Development.

Priya Jha, Country Director of India Programs for Evidence Action’s Deworm the World Initiative says, “At Evidence Action we are proud to support the State Health Society and the Department of Family Welfare with this third deworming round so critical for the health and well-being of Delhi’s children. Regular deworming of children together with improved water, sanitation and health education, can significantly reduce the prevalence and detrimental health impacts of parasitic worms in children.”

The Government of India has launched a fixed one-day school-based programme to leverage intensive deworming coverage and targeted outreach with the National Deworming Day.

In Delhi, community mobilisation and outreach efforts are also being undertaken to engage community-based health workers tospread awareness among parents. To encourage participation in the programme, handbills were distributed by the health workers in the community. In addition, radio spots were playedand newspaper advertisements were printed, encouraging people to visit their nearest school/ healthcare center to avail of the free deworming medicine.

EH News Bureau