Odisha Launches Month-Long Deworming and Vitamin A Campaign for Children and Women

Bhubaneswar: The Directorate of Family Welfare, Government of Odisha, in partnership with UNICEF, is set to launch a month-long deworming campaign from February 10, 2025, aimed at improving the health and nutritional status of children and women across the state. A mop-up round will follow on February 17 to reach beneficiaries who missed the initial dose. Additionally, a Vitamin A supplementation programme will be conducted simultaneously to boost immunity and prevent childhood blindness.

The National Deworming Day (NDD) campaign will target children aged 1 to 19 years through schools and Anganwadi centres, while women of reproductive age (20-24 years) will also receive deworming treatment.

Dr. Sanjukta Sahoo, Director of Family Welfare, emphasized the importance of the initiative, stating, “During NDD, children and young women will receive age-appropriate Albendazole (suspension or tablets) at their schools and Anganwadi centres from teachers, Anganwadi workers, and ASHAs.” She further highlighted that children aged 9 to 60 months will be given Vitamin A supplementation at routine immunization sites and Village Health and Nutrition Days (VHSNDs) throughout February.

According to Dr. Smrutijit Patnaik, Joint Director, Nutrition, the campaign will cover all schools and Anganwadi centres, including private schools, playschools, and childcare institutions. Approximately 1.46 crore children and 17.7 lakh women of reproductive age are expected to benefit from this initiative.

The campaign will be rolled out in 24 districts, including Angul, Balasore, Bargarh, Bhadrak, Boudh, Debagarh, Dhenkanal, Gajapati, Ganjam, Jagatsinghpur, Jajpur, Jharsuguda, Kendrapara, Keonjhar, Khordha, Koraput, Malkangiri, Mayurbhanj, Nabarangpur, Nuapada, Puri, Sambalpur, Subarnapur, and Sundargarh. In six additional districts—Bolangir, Cuttack, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Nayagarh, and Rayagada—certain blocks will integrate Lymphatic Filariasis – Mass Drug Administration (LF-MDA) into the campaign, covering children aged 1 to 2 years.

Sourav Bhattacharjee, Nutrition Specialist at UNICEF, stressed the significance of the campaign, stating, “National Deworming Day is a vital initiative, safeguarding the health of our children and communities. This effort aims to improve overall health, nutrition, education access, and quality of life.”

Sanjay Sahoo, Nutrition Officer at UNICEF, echoed similar sentiments, adding, “Deworming is a crucial step towards preventing the negative impacts of intestinal worms and fostering a healthier future for children and women in Odisha.”

This large-scale initiative is a collaborative effort between the Departments of Health and Family Welfare, School and Mass Education, Women and Child Development, and ST & SC Development, with UNICEF serving as a key development partner.