NATIONAL DEWORMING DAY (NDD)

About: 

• It is a programme under the banner of National Health Mission. 
  
  
• Background: It was launched in 2015 as WHO estimates that 220 million children below 14 years of age are at risk of Soil Transmitted Helminths (STH) infections in India. 
  
  
• Coverage: NDD is observed bi-annually on 10th February and 10th August in all states and UTs followed by mop-up activities. 
  
  
• Strategy: In this drive, all children, aged 1- 19 years old, whether enrolled or out-of-school will be administered the chewable deworming tablet, ‘ALBENDAZOLE’ tablet, which is an effective solution to control worm infections. 
  
  
• Ministries involved: This program is being implemented by union health ministry in close collaboration with Ministry of Human Resource & Development and Ministry of Women & Child Development.