On National De-Worming Day, Principal Secretary to Health and Medical Education J&K, Pawan Kotwal informed that around 52 lakh children would be administered de-worming tablets in the state. Kotwal was speaking as a chief guest after inaugurating the National De-Worming Day program organized by Chief Medical Officer Srinagar at Auditorium Hall, Govt. Higher Secondary School Sonawar.Among others, the program was attended by Director General Health Services Kashmir Dr Saleem Ur Rehman, Mission Director, NHM Dr Mohan Singh, Senior Programme Advisor Vitamin Angels India Dr Shilpa Bhatte, Chief Medical Officer Srinagar Dr Talat Jabeen, Principal Tahira, Officers from State Health Society, NHM, Education, ICDS departments and scores of students.On the occasion, Kotwal emphasized on maintaining cleanliness, hygiene, proper sanitation in every household, schools and workplaces to avoid diseases like anemia, blood deficiency and other health related issues caused by the worm infection particularly between the children of 1- 19 age group.The Principal Secretary stressed that there is need to make children habitual of practices like drinking safe water, washing hands with soap after toilet, avoid drinking water while standing and suggested on eating moderate food for the healthy life.Urging parents to ensure children are administered deforming tablets, he said that worms can affect growth of children mentally as well as physically.He said the children between age group of 1-6 would be administered tablets at Anganwari centers; while as above 6 years of age would be covered at schools, orphanages and religious institutions in order to improve their overall health, nutritional status, access to education and quality of life. He said every year two rounds of National De-worming Day are conducted on August 10 and February 10 across the country having Soil Transmitted Helminths (STH) prevalence of more than 50 Percent.
He further urged the line departments to give their full cooperation and coordination with the health department in implementing National De-worming Day effectively.Dr Saleem Ur Rehman, DG Health Services Kashmir while speaking on the occasion directed the officers of Health Department to ensure 100 percent coverage for de-worming of children. He also stressed on proper food practices and for behavior change practices in terms of cleanliness, hygiene, use of toilets, wearing shoes, washing hands as also important to reduce worm infection.Meanwhile, Dr Mohan Singh, Mission Director NHM, J&K who also spoke on the occasion said that mass de-worming is a safe, cost-effective intervention for breaking the worm cycle which has shown to reduce absenteeism in schools, improve learning outcomes for children later in life.He said Government of India has launched the fixed day approach to ensure intensive de-worming coverage and targeted outreach. He appreciated Chief Medical Officer Srinagar for having good intersectoral coordination between Health, Education & ICDS Department and hoped that this coordination will bring better results for maximum coverage.Dr Shilpa Bhatti, Senior Programme Advisor, Vitamin Angels India & Dr Talat Jabeen, Chief Medical Officer Srinagar also spoke on the occasion.The CMO Srinagar presented the vote of thanks on the occasion.