Chikkamagaluru: The health department has planned to cover a total of 231,930 children under its deworming drive organised as part of National Deworming Day across the district.
As per the department data, the authorities identified 63,753 children aged from 1 to 5 years and 168,177 children aged between 6 and 19 years, according to district health officer Dr Ashwath Babu. Deworming tablets will be given to all children aged between 1 and 19 across the district. The services of the teachers, anganwadi, and ASHA workers were sought. They were trained and informed about the drive, and it was suggested that the youngest children be given tablets using a spoon, the DHO said.
The authorities raised awareness about the benefits of deworming by distributing leaflets. He stated that steps were taken to ensure every child in the district receives the deworming tablet. Parasitic worm infections lead to anaemia, malnutrition, and hinder mental and physical development. Infected children often feel more fatigued. As a result, they not only miss school, but also find it difficult to participate enthusiastically in play, studies, and other activities. The affliction from parasitic worms reduces a person's physical and intellectual abilities, hindering economic progress.
Zilla panchayat CEO HS Keerthana stated that necessary steps were taken to eliminate infections that hinder children's nutritional growth. The govt aims for every child to develop healthily and robustly by providing nutritious supplementary food like milk, eggs, bananas, and chickpeas along with meals and snacks in anganwadis, schools, and hostels.
Parasitic worm infections, which spread through soil and other elements, are causing malnutrition in children. Therefore, everyone should cooperate by administering deworming tablets in schools, colleges, and anganwadis to ensure children's healthy growth, she said.