Silchar, Assam: The Cachar District Administration has successfully launched the National Deworming Day (NDD) drive, led by District Commissioner Mridul Yadav, IAS. Speaking at the district-level launch event on Thursday, DC Yadav emphasized the paramount importance of child health, asserting that “Healthy children are the foundation of a strong nation.”
The launch, held at Abhayacharan Bhattacharjee LP School, marked the official start of a district-wide campaign aimed at improving the health, nutritional uptake, and academic performance of young learners through mass deworming.
🍎 Why Deworming is Crucial for National Strength
DC Yadav’s address highlighted that the impact of the NDD goes far beyond simple medication. He stressed the importance of instilling healthy habits, hygiene practices, and nutritional awareness among students.
Key points emphasized by the District Commissioner and other officials included:
- Overall Growth and Well-being: Personal cleanliness and good dietary habits significantly contribute to a child’s overall growth, immunity, and future well-being.
- Nutritional Uptake: As elaborated by Dr. Shibananda Roy, Joint Director of Health Services, periodic deworming is crucial for improving children’s ability to absorb vital nutrients, which are often hindered by worm infections.
- Academic Performance: Deworming has a direct link to a child’s educational outcomes by reducing the prevalence of conditions like anemia and malnutrition, which cause lethargy and poor concentration.
- Preventive Healthcare: Rahul Ghose, DPM, NHM, underscored NDD’s significance in preventing common worm-related infections, which are a major public health concern in India.
The National Deworming Day initiative is an effort by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, to deworm all children and adolescents aged 1-19 years (both enrolled and non-enrolled) with a single dose of the Albendazole tablet, a safe and effective treatment against Soil-Transmitted Helminths (STH).
🤝 A Strong Community-Driven Launch
The event, a collaboration between the District Administration Cachar and the Health Department, saw strong participation from diverse stakeholders, reflecting a unified approach to public health.
In a symbolic move to officially commence the drive, DC Mridul Yadav personally administered Albendazole tablets to a few children who had completed their morning meal, signaling the administration’s full commitment.
The collective commitment from dignitaries, including Deepa Das, ACS, Branch Officer (Health), health workers (ANMs, ASHAs, and Anganwadi Workers), and school staff, cemented the goal to strengthen health awareness and ensure a healthier future for Cachar’s young learners.
