The National Deworming Day (NDD) will be observed all over Goa on October 12, 2021. It is learnt that in the wake of the current Covid pandemic situation, the NDD round will reportedly be conducted over a period of one week. Deworming is the process that involves the use of medication to get rid of intestinal parasites like worms. All children in the age group of 1-19 will reportedly be administered the deworming tablet ‘Albendazole 400 mg. Deworming can help increase a child’s nutritional uptake and manage infections like anaemia or even loose bowels. Moreover, it also helps reduce worm infection that occurs in the community. Deworming will also lower the chances of hospital admission of kids owing to abdominal pain. It improves the child’s immunity, and thereby protects him/her from chronic illnesses caused by worms. It improves concentration and attendance, making them more productive in school. Worms being a very common health problem for children and adults alike, experts recommend that deworming should be done twice a year or every six months, starting from the age of two years. Parents of the child being brought to the hospital for deworming should be advised on the second dose which has to be given after six months. With proper instruction about the tablets and frequency, deworming can be done at home on medical advice since all may not be aware of the days of deworming programs in government hospitals.
