Children aged between one and 19 years will be given a tablet for de-worming on February 10 which is being observed as the National De-worming Day.
It is estimated that 4.5 lakh children would be given Albendazole syrup and tables across Kanyakumari district on Tuesday. The required quantity of tablets and syrup is available with the health department for this purpose.
Presiding over a consultative meeting, Collector Sajjansingh R. Chavan said these chewable tablets will be given at schools and colleges across the district. They are also trying to reach out to persons outside schools.
The specific drive was being held to address the problem of malnutrition that the worms can cause.
Anganwadi workers, accredited social health activists, education department personnel and teachers will be involved in this exercise. While Albendazole syrup will be given to the children aged between 1 and 3 years, full tablets will be given to those aged between three and 19 years. Caution has been taken not to give this tablet to children who are unwell.
A team of officials from health, education and women and child welfare departments has been formed to oversee administration of de-worming tablets.
Institutions were asked to cooperate with the department in administration of the tablets to children.
Tuticorin
A training programme on distribution of de-worming tablets was held here on Friday.
Participating in the training programme, City Health Officer Pradeep Krishnakumar said de-worming tablets were being given to the students as the worms would cause weight loss, iron deficiency, affect growth and anaemia.
Hence, these chewing tablets would be distributed to 78,479 students studying in 77 anganvadis and 76 government and aided schools on Tuesday (February 10) and the uncovered students would be given the tablet on February 13, Dr. Pradeep said.
