The Health Department plans to cover a total of 11,22,553 children under its deworming drive as part of the National Deworming Day that was observed on February 26 in the district.
The camps for deworming children were held in all government, government-aided and private schools and anganwadi centres.
In the Vellore Health Unit Division (HUD), there are 1,441 anganwadi centres, 1,257 government schools, and 302 private schools.
In Tirupattur HUD, there are 1,559 anganwadi centre, 1,264 government schools and 236 private schools. A total of 5,26,578 children in Vellore HUD and 5,95,975 children in Tirupattur HUD will benefit through this drive.
Nutritional deficiencies
‘Albendazole’ tablet was given to children aged between one and 19 years to improve the child’s health and prevent nutritional deficiencies.
The departments of Health and Family Welfare, School Education and Integrated Child Development Scheme were involved in implementing the programme.
Worm infestation affects children in many ways, causing nutritional deficiencies and and vitamin A deficiency, fatigue, poor appetite, anaemia, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhoea.
It was important to take the tablet to prevent the health problems, according to a release.
A special camp to deworm children who missed out will be held on March 1 at anganwadi centres, government, government-aided and private schools.
