Libang emphasizes on personal hygiene to prevent parasitic worm infection
ITANAGAR, Aug 27: Health & Family Welfare (H&FW) Minister Alo Libang emphasized on maintaining personal hygiene and sanitation practices to prevent parasitic worm infection.
Libang, who launched the National Deworming Day (NDD) in the state at Banquet Hall here on Monday, said all the children in the age group of 1-19 years would be administered Albendazole tablets free of cost during the NDD.
“The medicines would be administered by the anganwadi workers at anganwadi centres and nodal teachers at their respective schools across the state,” he said.
Parasitic worm infections can be prevented by adopting hygienic practices like washing hands before and after meal, drinking potable water, and by avoiding walking barefoot and open-air defecation, he said.
Libang also explained how intestinal worm can adversely affect the physical and mental development of a child.
The health minister advised all to take Albendazole tablet once in six months, with advice from registered medical practitioners, as a prophylactic measure.
“Children in the age-group of 1 to 5 years would also be given Vitamin-A capsules free of cost during this round of NDD,” he said, adding that children who missed Albendzaole doses today would be covered during the mop-up round on 1 September.
The minister administered Albendazole tablets to school children and other dignitaries present on the occasion.
Around 4.9 lakh children would be administered Albendazole tablets in the present round of the deworming drive, informed H&FW Secretary Dr Kinny Singh.
Dr Singh, who is also the mission director of the state health mission, said the coverage during the previous round of the NDD, which was held in February this year, was 88.9 percent.
Health Services Director Dr Moromor Lego, Family Welfare Director Dr Kabang Lego, senior officers of the health services & family welfare department, and school children attended the programme.
NDD also was launched at various schools across the state on Monday.
At the government higher secondary school in Balijan, Papum Pare Deputy Commissioner Dr Joram Beda highlighted the importance of deworming and its health benefits. He advised the students to apply hand-washing techniques in their homes, as demonstrated by the ASHA workers, and create awareness among friends and relatives about health and hygiene. He also administered Albendazole tablets to the students.
DMO Dr Subu Tasso Kampu informed the students about multiple benefits of deworming tablets, and advised the students to maintain health and hygiene.
ASHA Taba Bina demonstrated hand-washing techniques to the students.
Among others, the Balijan CHC MO In-charge and staffers were present.
NDD was launched at Huto middle school in Yada Raga in Kamle district by Raga ADC Millo Kojin. DRCHO Dr Kapu Sopin said the event was held in coordination with NGOs.
In Ziro, Lower Subansiri DC Chukhu Takar launched the programme at Government Lal Bahadur Shastri School in Hapoli, and stressed on the need to ensure proper implementation of health programmes meant especially for children.
DMO Dr Tage Kano and DRCHO Dr Derin Likar spoke about the ill-effects of worms and parasites on the human body, and encouraged the children to take Albendazole tablets and Vitamin A drops.
In Namsai, DC Tapasya Raghav administered Albendazole tablets to children at Blooming Buds Public School, and advised them to wash their hands before eating anything. DRCHO Dr Tope Yomcha highlighted the performance of the first round NDD held in February.
In Anini, Dibang Valley DC Tamune Miso launched the second round of NDD at the government upper primary school in Angui, in the presence of the DMO, the DDSE, HoDs, and medical and teaching staffs. A total of 1,697 children in the district and AWC beneficiaries will be given deworming tablets under the programme.
In Seppa, East Kameng DC In-charge DJ Borah administered Albendozale tablets during the launch of the programme at Lal Bahadur Shastri Vidya Niketan-II. DMO Dr Kaya Lapung, DRCHO Dr Dirang Pizi, and DANO Dr SK Suman were among those present.
In Khonsa, Tirap DC PN Thungon administered Albendazole tablets to 165 children at Tirap Valley School, in the presence of ADC Techu Aran, HoDs, parents, and others.
DRCHO Dr N Angu briefed about the importance of NDD, and about the benefits under the Dulari Kanya Yojana. He advised pregnant women to get immunized at nearby government health centres and avail the benefits under Dulari Kanya scheme. (With inputs from DIPROs)
