4,380 kids given deworming tablets in Lahaul-Spiti district

Deputy Commissioner Kiran Bhadana launched the National Deworming Day campaign in Lahaul-Spiti district by giving Albendazole tablets to children at the Keylong Aaganwari Centre on Tuesday. She said that the campaign was a vital step towards ensuring better health and holistic development of children. A total of 4,380 children in the district were administered tablets at 123 anganwari centres and 220 schools.

She said that the district administration in coordination with the Health and Family Welfare Department had prepared a comprehensive action plan to ensure the successful implementation of the campaign. She added that the objective of National Deworming Day was to protect children from intestinal worm infections, which could adversely affect their health, nutritional status and physical as well as cognitive development.

She said that worm infestations could hinder children’s growth and learning abilities, making timely administration of deworming medicine essential. “Albendazole is considered highly effective in preventing worm infections and contributes significantly to strengthening children’s immunity,” she added.

The Deputy Commissioner said that 866 children in the one to 5 years age group were given deworming medicine along with Vitamin A supplementation. Meanwhile, 3,514 children in the six to 18 years age group received Albendazole tablets.

In Lahaul subdivision, 1,860 children were covered under the drive, while 2,520 children were given tablets in Kaza subdivision. Kiran appealed to parents to ensure that children, who missed the dose on the main day, take part in the mop-up round scheduled for February 28, so that no eligible child was left out of the deworming programme. — TNS