Officials urged to distribute deworming tablets to kids

West Godavari District Collector C. Nagarani has directed officials to ensure the distribution of deworming tablets to all school students as part of efforts to combat parasitic infections.
The Collector emphasised the importance of administering these tablets to children to prevent malnutrition, anaemia, and fatigue. On Monday, she unveiled a wall poster promoting the National Deworming Programme.
Addressing the gathering, Collector Nagarani highlighted the health risks posed by worms, noting that deworming can significantly improve children’s physical and mental growth. “Children are suffering from various health issues due to worms,” she said. “Taking these deworming tablets will help prevent malnutrition, anaemia, and fatigue.”
The Collector called for the National Deworming Programme to be conducted on a large scale across the district on August 24. She instructed that Albendazole-400 mg tablets be administered to all students in government and private schools, as well as Anganwadi centres, targeting children between the ages of 1 and 19 years.
DM&HO Dr. D. Maheswara Rao advised that children under two years of age should receive half a tablet, while those above two years should receive a full tablet. He assured that the tablets are safe, with no significant side effects. However, he cautioned that children with chronic illnesses, fever, or cold symptoms should not be given the tablets. Dr Rao also mentioned that approximately 3.52 lakh deworming tablets are available in the district.