The Government of India has reaffirmed its commitment to an Anaemia Mukt Bharat and a worm-free future for children, with the National De-Worming Day (NDD) 2026 scheduled for February 11 in the Andaman Islands. The initiative aims to reduce intestinal worm infestations, a key contributor to anaemia and related health issues among children and adolescents.
Under the programme, all children and adolescents aged 1-19 years will be administered Albendazole tablets. The distribution will occur through schools and Anganwadi centres, ensuring broad coverage across the islands. A mop-up round to reach children who may miss the initial round is planned for February 17, 2026.
The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, in coordination with the Department of Women and Child Development and the Department of School Education and Literacy, is implementing the campaign nationwide. The initiative underscores the importance of tackling nutritional deficiencies and improving overall child health through preventive measures.
Officials have urged parents to ensure that their children receive the deworming tablets at schools and Anganwadi centres during the campaign. Additionally, the public has been requested to extend full cooperation to Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs), Anganwadi Workers, and Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs), facilitating effective administration and awareness of the programme.
Intestinal worm infestations significantly impair children’s nutritional status, impacting growth and learning outcomes. The deworming campaign forms a crucial component of India’s broader public health strategy to combat anaemia and malnutrition, particularly in children and adolescents.
Through the National De-Worming Day, the government aims to systematically address worm infestations, which remain a major cause of morbidity among young populations. By leveraging educational institutions and Anganwadi centres as distribution platforms, authorities seek to ensure maximum reach and compliance.
The Ministry emphasized that the programme not only targets the reduction of worm load but also creates an opportunity to educate children, parents, and communities about nutritional health and preventive care. The initiative aligns with India’s larger health objectives, focusing on improving child health indicators and reducing disease burden linked to poor nutrition.
Health officials confirmed that the deworming tablets will be administered in a supervised manner, with ANMs, Anganwadi Workers, and ASHAs playing a critical role in monitoring and reporting. Public awareness campaigns will run alongside the distribution, highlighting the benefits of deworming and the importance of participation in the programme.
The National De-Worming Day 2026 in the Andaman Islands represents a strategic effort to tackle anaemia and intestinal worm infestations, forming a key pillar in the government’s commitment to child health and nutrition. Authorities have stressed that collective participation and vigilance from families and communities are essential for the success of this nationwide health drive.
