Sri Vijaya Puram, August 11: National De-worming Day was observed across schools, including private schools, and Anganwadi centres in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, with the programme targeting children aged one to 19 years through a fixed-day approach.
A state-level programme organised by the Directorate of Health Services in association with the UT Health Mission marked the observance at the Conference Hall of Government Girls Senior Secondary School, Sri Vijaya Puram. The initiative was conducted in coordination with the Directorate of Social Welfare and Directorate of Education.
The programme focused on reaching children between one and 19 years of age through educational institutions and Anganwadi centres across the Union Territory. The fixed-day approach was adopted to facilitate coverage of the target group through schools and Anganwadi centres.
Dr H.M. Siddaraju, Director of Health Services, inaugurated the programme as the chief guest. Addressing the gathering, he emphasised the need for coordinated efforts among the Education, Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) and Health departments for the effective implementation of the de-worming programme in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Archana Singh, Principal of Government Girls Senior Secondary School, Sri Vijaya Puram, attended the programme as the guest of honour and spoke about the importance of National De-worming Day.
The observance also included the administration of Albendazole tablets to children by the guests, marking the formal start of the de-worming programme.
The programme brought together the health, education and social welfare departments as part of the effort to cover children through schools and Anganwadi centres. The initiative was implemented across the Union Territory on the designated day.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Dr Shiny Varghese, Joint Secretary (RCH-II), Directorate of Health Services.
