Sarthak Kanjilal
Port Blair, Feb 09: The Directorate of Health Services in association with the UT Mission, Andaman & Nicobar Administration will be conducting a school and Anganwadi based Mass De-Worming Program on National De-Worming Day 2017 on 10th February.
In a Press Conference held at the Conference Hall of the DHS Office, the Director of Health Services, Dr Shiphra Paul said that the DHS is going to conduct National De-Worming Day 2017 and the DHS will be giving the de-worming drug (Albendazole Tablet) to the children between the age group of 1-19 years to prevent them from most common infections STH.
“To conduct the National De-Worming Day 2017, successfully the DHS is also taking the help of the ASHA worker and other NGOs who are also trained and various other committees are also constituted so that all the children get the drug,” said Dr Shiphra Paul.
Further addressing the media the Deputy Director, Health Services, Dr Abhijit Ray sensitised the media about National De-Worming Day and said that Ninety Thousand Nine Hundred and thirty three students of age between 1-19 years will be given de-worming drug (Albendazole Tablet) at each and every school and Anganwadi Centres across the Andaman & Nicobar Islands to protect them from Soil-transmitted Helminth (STH) infections.
He said that Soil-transmitted Helminth (STH) infections are among the most common infections worldwide and affect the poorest and most deprived communities. They are transmitted by eggs present in human faeces, which in turn contaminate soil in areas where sanitation is poor.
Dr Abhijit Ray further said that under nutrition and anaemia in children has been well documented in India. Almost 7 in 10 children in the 6-59 months age group are anaemic, with even higher rates of Anaemia in rural areas.
He said that any children left to get the tablet for various issues can get the tablet on 15th of February and even though if any children left can get the tablet from the nearby Sub-Centres.
