IMPHAL, February 10: Health and Family Welfare Minister, Phungzathang Tonsing, has called on the public to take serious note of the National Deworming Day campaign launched in the state while highlighting the risk of intestinal worm infestation in Children.
The Minister stated this during the launch function of the state level National Deworming Day 2016, at the Jawarhalal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS) conference hall.
Referring to a report of the World Health Organisation, he stated that children aged from 1 to 19 years are at risk of parasitic intestinal worm infection, known as Soil Transmitted Helminths (STH).
The parasitic infection is a result of poor sanitation and hygiene condition, and easily transmitted among children through contact with infected soil, he said adding that the consequence of chronic worm infestation can cause Anemia and under nutrition, thereby impairing mental and physical development leading to missed livelihood in future.
Making our children absolutely worm free is a gradual process, said the Minister and added that as a result a National Deworming Day (NDD) is being observed on February 10, at pan-India level for the first time in order to intensify the efforts towards control of STH.
Phungzathang Tonsing further informed that the NDD will be followed by a mop up day (MUD) on February 16 with the intent of Deworming children who missed the dose on February 10.
Despite limited resources the present Government is serious in developing the health sector under the leadership of Okram Ibobi Singh, he said.
The fact that Manipur had achieved Lowest Infant Mortality Rate (LIMR) and Maternal Mortality Rate for three consecutive years is the testimony of the seriousness, added Tonsing adding that he attributed the success to the co-operation and sacrifice of the entire medical fraternity.
The Deworming campaign will be implemented in all the Schools and Aganwadi centre by Teachers, Aganwadi and ASHA workers respectively with family welfare.
The education department one of stake holders of the campaign, has instructed all schools for NDD and a report of the same will be submitted to the higher authority, informed Suraj Yumnam Administrative Officer, Education (S) department.
Taking the opportunity of the launched programme, L Nabakishwar Singh, IAS Director Social Welfare, appealed the Government to increase the incentives of the ASHA and Anganwadi workers who are working at the grass root level.
Dr O Ibomcha Singh, Director Health Services and State Mission, delivering his presidential speech asked the public to do away with the old notion with regards to intestinal worms and take full advantage of the Deworming to avoid further complication in the children.
Dr K Rajo Singh, Director Family Welfare, Dr L Deben Singh, Director JNIMS, Dr Guneshwar, AYUSH department and other faculty members of JNIMS including Nursing students attended the launch function.
Marking the launch of NDD the dignitaries lighted inaugural lamps followed by administering of Albendazole (Deworming tablets) to children.