BMC to give deworming tablets to 19.2 lakh children in Mumbai on October 27

Children aged one to 19 in Mumbai will be given a deworming tablet on October 27 as part of National Deworming Day. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said the campaign aims to reduce the risk of anaemia among children and improve their health.

In a press release issued on Monday, October 26, the BMC said it has set a target of giving the tablet to 19,20,015 children in its area. The campaign will run through schools and anganwadi centres. The BMC's public health department is making the arrangements across Mumbai.

According to the BMC, health workers, ASHA workers and anganwadi workers have already been trained. They will help with the campaign and give the dose to eligible children.

Deworming is a public health measure aimed at keeping infections from intestinal worms in check. Such infections can affect children's nutrition and general health. They can cause malnutrition and anaemia, and can also affect children's growth and development. Regular deworming, together with sanitation and hygiene measures, can reduce the burden of intestinal worm infections.

The BMC has appealed to parents to make sure their child receives the dose during the campaign. It also said children should chew the tablet and then drink clean water.

The campaign will reach children aged one to 19 through participating schools and anganwadi centres. Parents can get details of how the dose will be given, and whether there are any special instructions for their child, from the school, anganwadi centre or a health worker.

Children who miss the tablet on October 27 will get another chance on November 3, when the BMC will hold a mop-up round so that those who missed out on the scheduled day can also receive the medicine.

The BMC has asked parents to check whether their child received the dose. If not, they should speak to the school, anganwadi centre or health worker and arrange for it in the mop-up round. The extra round has been kept so that children who were absent on the main day, or who missed the dose for any other reason, can also be covered.

The BMC's public health department is coordinating the initiative across the municipal area. The drive is part of efforts to prevent worm infections and improve children's health through preventive health services.

Parents have been asked to follow the instructions given by school and anganwadi staff or health workers during the campaign.