In the run up to the National Deworming Day round in August, the Union Health Ministry has asked the States to look for innovative and IT ways to reach out to children who are not a part of the school and anganwadi systems to make the programme successful.
“It is crucial that we now give focused attention to reaching children who are not a part of our school and anganwadi systems.
“This out-of-school population is the most marginalized and vulnerable population of our country. Only when we are able to ensure that every child has been dewormed in every state consistently only then can we pat our backs for a rolling out a truly successful program. I would strongly recommend that all states look for new strategies and use new technology to ensure that this program reaches all children,” said Vandana Gurnani, Joint Secretary (RCH), Union Health Ministry.
She was chairing a meeting with States representatives to discuss preparation towards National Deworming Day to be organised in August.
Dr SK Skidar Deputy Commissioner, Child health and Adolescent health, Health Ministry said, “The National Health Mission has a commitment of reaching 90% of all children aged 1-19 with deworming treatment as part of the National Deworming Day. All states need to carry out planning towards the program with this program goal in mind.”
India has the highest burden of worm infections in the world, with the WHO estimating in 2014 that over 22 crore Indian children aged 1-14 years are at risk. Intestinal worm infections can act as a deterrent to children’s growth and development, and can adversely impact performance in school, and livelihood potential later in life.