Finance
To tackle the threat of intestinal worms among women of reproductive age and children, the Department of Health and Family Welfare is planning a state-wide deworming program on August 10, 2023, in collaboration with UNICEF.
On August 17, a deworming mop-up round (MUD) will be held for beneficiaries who missed the dose on August 10.
Dr. Bijay Kumar Panigrahi, Director of the Department of Health and Family Welfare, spoke at a news conference in Bhubaneswar on the importance of deworming and the need to create awareness among parents and caregivers.
“Our ultimate goal is to ensure that children remain free from intestinal worms and safeguard women of reproductive age from developing anaemia”, he added.
“The campaign will be implemented vigorously across anganwadis and all schools aim to reach about 1 crore beneficiaries across the state.”
Speaking at the event, Sourav Bhattacharjee, Nutrition Specialist, UNICEF stressed on the importance of deworming as an effective intervention to reduce worm infestation and tackle anaemia in the state. He added “Deworming intervention will contribute significantly to the state government’s AMLAN programme which aims to reduce anaemia among adolescent girls and women.”
The primary goal of NDD this year is to deworm all children aged 1 to 19, as well as women of reproductive age (20 to 24 years), except those who are not pregnant or nursing.
The distribution will take place twice a year — specifically in February and August. The next wave is scheduled for August 10, 2023, followed by a Mop-Up Day (MUD) on August 17, 2023.
During NDD, children aged 1 to 19 would be given Albendazole (in tablet or suspension form) at their local schools and anganwadi centers, with the assistance of teachers and anganwadi personnel.
Children aged 1 to 5 years will be given Albendazole suspension, while those aged 6 to 19 years and women of reproductive age (20 to 24 years) would be given Albendazole tablets.
The August round of NDD will encompass 19 districts – Bolangir, Bhadrak, Boudh, Balasore, Cuttack, Deogarh, Gajapati, Jagatsighpur, Kandhamal, Kalahandi, Kendrapada, Khurda, Koraput, Malkangiri, Nabrangpur, Nuapada, Puri, Nayagarh, and Rayagada.
In addition, children aged 1-2 years will be covered in 11 LF-MDA districts, including Angul, Bargarh, Dhenkanal, Ganjam, Jajpur, Keonjhar, Sundergarh, Sonepur, Sambalpur, Jharsuguda, and Mayurbhanj.
In line with this initiative, Vitamin A Supplementation (VAS) will be administered to children aged 9 months to 5 years.
The successful implementation of NDD is a joint endeavor, facilitated by the Departments of Health and Family Welfare, School and Mass Education, Women and Child Development, ST and SC Development, along with support from other development partners.
The press briefing was attended by Dr Sanjay Sahoo, Nutrition officer, UNICEF, Dr. Smruti Ranjan Patnaik, Joint Director of Nutrition, Family Welfare Department Govt of Odisha, and Dr Pratima Pradhan, Joint Director, Child Health, Family Welfare Department.
Source:OCN
