IMA to support the adherence of National
Deworming Day on February 10th
New
Delhi, February 7, 2016: On
February 10, 2015, National Deworming Day was in effect in
11 states and Union Territories including Haryana, Assam, Bihar, Chattisgarh,
and Dadra & Nagar Haveli. This year it will be observed across India.
Studies
linking the impact of worm infections on literacy rates have been recently
conducted in the United States showing that literacy levels are lowered by 13%,
and downward impact on earnings of 43% occur later in life. Research in West
Africa have shown mass deworming programs based in schools reduce absenteeism
by 25%.
‘Children
in India,’ a 2012 report by the Ministry of Statistics and Program
Implementation, Government of India, found that 19.8% of children under the age
of five years are wasted, with 48% of them being malnourished. This showed
malnourishment across half of the national population.
Over
100 million children at risk of parasitic worms were included last year,
covering schools and Anganwadi centers. Over three days, these children were
given chewable Albendazole. This year Albendazole will be distributed to all
children aged 1-19 years pan India, including both private and public sectors.
Given that Albendazole is an inexpensive drug, total coverage without subsidy
is a welcome step to curbing worm infections.
Sharing
IMA’s viewpoint, Dr. SS Agarwal,
National President IMA & Padma Shri Awardee Dr. K.K.Aggarwal, President,
Heart Care Foundation of India and Honorary Secretary General IMA said, “The Indian Medical Association (IMA)
is pitching in to help the government with the implementation of this program,
and has requested all its 2.5-lakh members to spread the message. This would
mean individual healthcare facilities doing their bit to contribute the stem of
worm infestation.”
An
increasingly obsolete affliction in developed settings, India must work
tirelessly to control the spread of parasitic worms in vulnerable youth.
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