National Deworming Day 2023 - Date, theme, history and significance

National Deworming Day 2023: The National Deworming Day is observed on February 10 every year. It is an initiative taken by the Government of India to deworm all the children across the nation in the age group of 1 to 19. Worms are parasites, which live in human intestines for food and survival. The worms consume nutrients meant for the human body and cause blood loss, poor nutrition and stunt growth.

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National Deworming Day 2023: Significance

National Deworming Day is a day when all children (both enrolled and unenrolled) between the ages of 1 to  19 can receive treatment for intestinal worms from teachers at all government and government-aided schools and from Anganwadi Workers annually.

Worm infections interfere with the health, nutrition and education of children. Worms can cause anemia and malnourishment, which has negative effects on mental and physical development. Malnourished and anemic children are often underweight and have stunted growth. Children with heavy infections are often too sick or too tired to concentrate at school or attend school at all.

A child regularly treated for worms:

-Grows faster and is healthier

-Is more resistant to other infections

-Learns better and is more active in school

-Attends school more regularly

National Deworming Day 2023: History

In February 2015, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India launched the National Deworming Day as part of National Health Mission in 11 states/Union Territory, including Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Haryana, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, and Tripura.

With an aim to intensify efforts towards soil-transmitted helminths (STH)  control among children in India, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India has decided to observe National Deworming Day on February 10, 2016 in all 36 States/ UTs of the country.

The National Deworming Day will be followed by a mop-up day (MUD) on February 15, 2016 with the intent of deworming children who missed the dose on February 10. All schools and Anganwadi centers will be the implementation sites of National Deworming Day across the country.

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