Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath launched a de-worming campaign in 11 districts of the state to rid children and teenagers of soil-transmitted ‘helminth’ infections. During the campaign, de-worming medicines will be administered to children from one to 12 years old and teenagers aged up to 19 years in 11 districts – Amethi, Amroha, Banda, Chitrakoot, Etah, Firozabad, Hapur, Hathras, Kasganj, Shahjahanpur and Sonbhadra, an official release said on Monday.
There are over 99 lakh people in this age group in these 11 districts, the statement added.
According to the World Health Organisation, soil-transmitted ‘helminth’ infections are among the most common infections in humans, caused by a group of parasites commonly referred to as worms, including roundworms, whipworms and hookworms.
As per the information on the WHO’s website, those living in poverty are most vulnerable to infection which can impair nutritional status by causing internal bleeding which can lead to loss of iron and anaemia, intestinal inflammation and obstruction, diarrhoea and impairment of nutrient intake, digestion and absorption.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said this campaign would benefit around 10 lakh children and youths in the 11 districts. This campaign would be undertaken in four phases during August, September, October and November 2020, he said.
CM Yogi said that a PCV (pneumococcal conjugate vaccine) program is also being started to curtail child mortality rate. This vaccine was already being given in 19 districts and it was started in 56 other districts as well on Monday.
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The CM said “Vitamin A Sampurn program” is also being launched which would help boost the immunity level among children aged nine months to five-year-old ones. According to an estimate, around 2.50 crore children will be given vitamin A dose, he said. Vitamin A doses would be beneficial in the times of COVID-19. Both the Vitamin A doses and PCV vaccine would be free of cost.
NDTV – Dettol Banega Swasth India campaign is an extension of the five-year-old Banega Swachh India initiative helmed by Campaign Ambassador Amitabh Bachchan. It aims to spread awareness about critical health issues facing the country. In wake of the current COVID-19 pandemic, the need for WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) is reaffirmed as handwashing is one of the ways to prevent Coronavirus infection and other diseases. The campaign highlights the importance of nutrition and healthcare for women and children to prevent maternal and child mortality, fight malnutrition, stunting, wasting, anaemia and disease prevention through vaccines. Importance of programmes like Public Distribution System (PDS), Mid-day Meal Scheme, POSHAN Abhiyan and the role of Aganwadis and ASHA workers are also covered. Only a Swachh or clean India where toilets are used and open defecation free (ODF) status achieved as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014, can eradicate diseases like diahorrea and become a Swasth or healthy India. The campaign will continue to cover issues like air pollution, waste management, plastic ban, manual scavenging and sanitation workers and menstrual hygiene.
