Albendazole given to 3 lakh kids

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, February 15

The deworming medication was administered to 3,06,565 students in the district on National Deworming Day today.

The observance of the day on February 15 across schools was started two years ago in the state. While there is a target of 5,27,833 children aged between one and 19 years in the district under the project, more than three lakh children were administered the tablets today. Those who were left out, will be covered in a mop-up drive to be held on February 20.

Of the 3,06,565 children covered today, 1,40,699 are from private schools while 1,65,866 children are from government schools. Half albendazole (400mg) tablet was given to the children aged 1-2 years and full tablet to children aged 2-19 years.

A district-level programme was also held at Government Senior Secondary School, Maqsudan, where children were administered tablets. More than 1,000 children were present on the occasion.

Civil Surgeon, Jalandhar, Dr Maninder Minhas said, “The National Deworming Day is being celebrated since 2015.” District Immunisation Officer Dr Tarsem Singh said, “While over 30 per cent of children are affected with worm infestation globally, in our country, majority of the children suffer from the disease. The problem is very common. Poor hygiene, open defaecation and personal hygiene are its prime causes. While across all states the de-worming is done twice a year, in Punjab, it only happens once a year since the soil index in Punjab (prevalence of worms in soil) is less than 40 per cent. Since the most common way of the transfer of parasites in the soil is through faecal matter and worms, children walking bare feet also attract worms. Anaemia, discomfort and malnourishment are commonly caused due to this infection.”

“The city has been divided in six education blocks and drug outlets were set up in each of these blocks from where medicine was being distributed to students. Primarily, the medicine was being distributed at anganwari centres and schools. The target of the health department is to remove the disease from all students,” he added.

Nearly 1,72,100 children were administered tablets in Kapurthala district. The campaign in Kapurthala was inaugurated at the Government Senior Secondary School for Girls, Kapurthala, by Civil Surgeon Dr Harpreet Singh Kahlon.