National Deworming Day 2022

Context

National Deworming Day is observed on 10 February annually to spread awareness about the importance of deworming in all preschool and children of school age between 1 to 19 years.

About the National Deworming Day

• The National Deworming Day is a single fixed-day approach to treating intestinal worm infections in all children aged 1- 19 years.
• It aims 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.
• All the children are provided deworming tablets in schools and anganwadis.
• Besides the deworming tablet, various health promotion activities related to Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) are organised in schools and anganwadis.
• The NDD program is a cost-effective program at scale that continues to reach crores of children and adolescents with deworming benefits through a safe medicine Albendazole.

Background

• India carries the highest burden of worm infestation and 64% of the Indian population less than 14 years of age are at risk of Soil Transmitted Helminths (STH) or worms’ infestation (WHO). 
• Soil Transmitted Helminths (STH) interfere with nutrients uptake in children; can lead to anaemia, malnourishment and impaired mental and physical development. 
• The situation of undernutrition and anaemia which is linked to STH ranges from 40% to 70% in different population groups across the country (WHO). 
• They also pose a serious threat to children’s education and productivity later in life.

Significance of  the day

• Parasitic worms are a menace to society, both for people and animals. It is impossible to prevent worm infestation since children come in contact with soil while playing outside. 
• Worm infestations can reduce the quality of life in children, stunt their physical growth and mental development.
• This may lead to poor productivity in schools, affect their attendance and hamper their education and future. 
• Hence, timely and proper deworming of children is a necessity. Intestinal worms are found in the gastrointestinal tract and they damage the body.
• Regularly washing hands with soap and hot water before and after using the toilet can prevent intestinal worms.