De-worming tablets to be distributed to kids, students: Health Dept

Mangaluru: ‘Albendazole’ de-worming tablets will be distributed to all kids and students between the age group of 1 to 19 as part of the ‘National De-worming Day’ on February 8^th by the Dakshina Kannada district unit of Health and Family Welfare Department.  

Addressing media persons at his office, DK District Health Officer (DHO) Dr Ramakrishna Rao said that the department had already supplied the tablets to all the Primary Health Centre (PHC), Taluk Health Centres, government schools and aided schools, ITI and Diploma institution on Wednesday, Feb 6^th.

“The tablets need to distributed to the students at schools and colleges by the teachers and make sure that the same is consumed after food. The children between the age group of 3-19 years can take a full tablet while those children beneath the age of 3 must be given half the tablet. However, in case the child is already suffering from any illness, it is better not to give them the tablet,” advised Dr Rao.

“The department has provided tablets for 5,15,433 children who are in the age group of 1-19 years in DK district. Among them 2,40,901 students are from Mangaluru Taluk, 95,652 students from Bantwal taluk, 65,668 students from Belthangady taluk, 78,077 students from Puttur taluk and 35,135 students from Sullia taluk. Anganwadi and ASHA workers will be engaged in disbursing tablets to the students,” informed the DHO.

“The initiative needs to be complimented with improved sanitation, hygiene and availability of safe drinking water for reducing worm load. In order to achieve the ‘worm-free’ status, parents should make their children drink hot water, maintain cleanliness while taking food and other good habits,” advised the doctor.