Dept to distribute deworming tablets

Kozhikode: The health department will administer deworming tablets to children between 1 and 19 years across the state as part of nationwide deworming project. The programme will be held in schools and anganwadis on June 20.
The department will administer ‘Albendazole' tablets to curb the growth of intestinal parasites in children. It will also cover students in all government schools, aided and private under the drive.The move was taken after the studies found high number of anaemia and malnutrition among children due to the presence of intestinal worms in the body.
Dr Sarala Nair, child health officer, said that state-level workshop was already completed. "The growth of intestinal worms such as whipworm, roundworm and hookworm causes anaemia and malnutrition among children. The worms consume vitamin A and other nutrients in the body and the growth of these worms makes children fall sick frequently. Dysentery,weight loss, diarrhoea often makes the children to skip the classes hence the government issued directions to all the states to administer deworming tablets to children to curb the growth of worms,'' she said. "A meeting will be held with all the school authorities and anganwadi workers for the distribution of tablets,'' she said.
Dr A Baburaj, district project manager of national health mission, said that though there are many parasites in the body, only few are harmful. "Intestinal worms causes stomach pain, anaemia, diarrhoea, dysentery, weight loss, passing worms in stool, itching around the rectum leading to discomfort and frequent illness in children,'' he said.
Meanwhile, Saritha said that efforts will be taken for the smooth administration of deworming tablets on June 20. "Training to school authorities and anganwadi workers will be given in the coming days,'' said district medical officer.