Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 154/16

HEALTH MINISTER INAUGURATES NATIONAL DEWORMING DAY

National Deworming Day 2016 on the theme“Worm Free Children are Healthy Children” was inaugurated today by the State Health and Family Welfare Minister Shri A. L. Hek at a function held at Nongmensong Dorbar Secondary School, Shillong. The inauguration function was also attended by Dr. M.R. Basaiawmoit, DM&HO, East Khasi Hills, Dr. J.B. Ranee, District MC&HO, Dr. D. Syiem, HO, Shri H. Kharkongor, Secretary Managing Committee, Nongmensong Dorbar Secondary School, Anganwadi workers, teachers and students. The programme was organized by the District Medical and Health Officer, East Khasi Hills with an objective of deworming all preschool and school children between the ages of 1-19 years through the platform of Schools and Anganwadi centres in order to improve their overall health, nutritional status, access to education and quality of life. The National Deworming Day (NDD) will be followed by a mop-up-day (MOD) on the 8th April, 2016 with the intent of deworming children, who missed the dose on 4th April, 2016. All schools and Anganwadi Centres will be the implementation sites of NDD across the District. In his inaugural address, Shri Hek informed that the National Deworming Day implemented in the State with an aim to intensify efforts towards eradicating Soil Transmitted Helminths (STH) which effects children educational performance and school attendance. Mr. Hek also urged the teachers and anganwadi workers to accelerate their efforts towards successful implementation of this initiative. He also informed that the Health Department is undertaking many initiatives for combating anaemia to help the children to have improved health outcomes and be able to achieve their potential to the fullest. Later the Minister and others dignitaries administered Abendazole tablets to selected students.