Nearly 30 Lakh adolescent children studying in Government & aided schools of Punjab will be covered under the special de-worming drive across the state on 5th December. The day is being observed as De-worming day. This was stated here today by Ms. Vini Mahajan, Principal Secretary Health & Finance, Punjab. She said Albendazole tablets will be given to all children of age 5 years to 19 years in Government & Government aided schools and in Anganwadi Centres. These tablets will be administered to such children under supervision of School Nodal Teachers and Anganwadi workers. Besides this, information and counseling for improving dietary intake and education regarding prevention of intestinal worm infestation will be given to such adolescents and children. Ms Mahajan informed that necessary directions in this regard has been given to the Civil Surgeons and other officials of all districts.
She added that the exercise will be monitored in each of the district by the officers of the State Supportive Supervision teams of the Health & Family Welfare Department. She said that biannual de-worming (Albendazole 400mg) tablets are given to such children and adolescents after each six months for control of worm infestation. In addition, children from 5 years to 10 years i.e. students of primary schools (Class 1st to 5th) will also be covered for de-worming.Sh Hussan Lal, Mission Director, National Health Mission, Punjab informed that under the Weekly Iron and Folic Acid Supplementation Programme (WIFS) adolescent girls and boys enrolled in government/government aided/municipal schools from 6th to 12th classes and even the adolescent girls who are not studying in schools are provided Iron and Folic Acid Supplementation on weekly basis (every Wednesday) for 52 weeks in a year. The programme lays a special emphasis upon information and counseling for improving dietary intake as well as screening of target groups for moderate and severe anaemia and referring these cases to an appropriate health facility.