National Deworming Day

National Deworming Day is aimed at deworming all preschool and school-age children (enrolled and non-enrolled) between the ages of 1-19 years through the platform of schools and Anganwadi Centers to improve their overall health, nutritional status, access to education and quality of life. Albendazole tablets are orally administered for the children during the programme.

The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India is the nodal agency for the implementation of the National Deworming Day. The National Deworming Day is implemented by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare in association with the Department of School Education and Literacy under the Ministry of Human Resource and Development, Ministry of Women and Child Development, Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Ministry of Rural Development, Ministry of Urban Development, and Urban Local Bodies (ULBs).

Bi-annual round of deworming is recommended in the States where the prevalence of Soil-Transmitted Helminths infection is more than 20% and annual round in other states. Only two States namely Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh have reported less than 20% prevalence and have been recommended for the annual round.

The National Deworming Day is a single fixed-day approach to treating intestinal worm infections in all children aged 1- 19 years and is held on 10 February and 10 August each year. It aims to conduct mass deworming program to mobilize health personnel, state governments and other stakeholders to prioritize investment in control of Soil Transmitted Helminth (STH) infections—one of the most common infections.

Goal of the day is to deworm all preschool and school-age children between the ages of 1-19 years in order to improve their overall health, cognitive development, nutritional status and quality of life. On this day, Albendazole tablets are given to all targeted children. Dosage of half tablet to 1-2 years children and one full tablet for 2-19 years is given. It also spreads behaviour change practices in terms of cleanliness, hygiene, use of toilets, wearing shoes/chappals, washing hands etc. is also important to reduce incidents of re-infection.

Implementation of deworming programmes is led by the Union MoHFW. The Department of School Education and Literacy under the Ministry of Human Resource Development (HRD) and Ministry of Women and Child Development (WCD) also collaborate to implement the day. Ministries of Panchayati Raj, Tribal Affairs, Drinking Water and Sanitation, Rural Development and Urban Development are also other key stakeholders.

STH or Parasitic worms infestation

Parasitic worms or Soil-Transmitted Helminths (STH) are among the most common infections worldwide that causing parasitic infestation with nutrient uptake in small children. STHs live in human intestines and consume essential nutrients meant for the human body. It causes complications among the children resulting in anaemia, malnutrition and improper mental and physical development. Each day, parasitic worms produce thousands of eggs which are passed in human faeces and spread to others by contaminating soil in areas where open defecation predominant and sanitation is poor.