Bhubaneswar: Drawing attention to importance of de-worming in ensuring better health of all children, the Department of Health and Family Welfare, Government of Odisha in collaboration with UNICEF organized a press conference just ahead of the bi-annual round of National Deworming Day campaign, on September 26, 2018. Participants included Director-Family Welfare, Dr.Lingaraj Mishra, Director- SIHFW, Dr. Binayak Prasad Prusty, Director- Health Services Dr. Haraprasad Pattnaik and Director Public Health Dr. Sapneswar Gadanaik
Addressing the media, Dr. Lingaraj Mishra said, “Regular deworming prevents children from intestinal parasitic worms that can lead to anaemia, malnutrition, impaired mental, physical & cognitive development and reduced school participation. Under the September round of the National Deworming Day bi-annual campaign, the Odisha government aims to reach approximately 1.4 crore children from 1 to 19 years across all 30 districts, in convergence with major government departments: Health &FW, WCD& MS, S&ME, Panchayati Raj & DW and ST. & SC Development, Minorities and Backward Classes Welfare Department. Further, in three districts where there is a prevalence of Lymphatic Filariasis, we are combining the NDD round with Lymphatic Filariasis- Mass Drug Administration campaign (LF-MDA) through door to door visits by the Drug Administrators.” “Any child who is not dewormed on National Deworming Day (26th September 2018) due to sickness or absenteeism will be administered the tablet on 3rd October 2018, “he added.
The Director State Institute of Health & Family Welfare, Dr. Binayak Prasad Prusty emphasized the importance of mass awareness about the campaign. “To generate public awareness information and communication material specially developed in Odia to increase the reach to the public print/electronic is developed and disseminated.”
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