WHO lauds India’s de-worming initiative by Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh WHO Regional Director for South-East Asia

Bengaluru, February 11, 2016: World Health Organization congratulates India for launching one of the largest public health campaigns to de-worm 270 million people in the age group of one to 19 years, on a single day across the country. The scale of the campaign is unprecedented and reflects the country’s resolve to
address health issues related to parasitic intestinal worms (soil-transmitted helminthes).

Intestinal worms are a serious impediment to the development of children in India, who account for 27% of the world’s school-age children requiring treatment for the problem. Intestinal worms affect a child’s ability to grow – both intellectually and physically – and to develop into a fully functioning adult capable of contributing to wider society.

The National Deworming Day, launched by India in 2015, is an important step in the global push to fight malnutrition in children.

The de-worming initiative, along with measures to address hygiene and sanitation, will go a long way in improving the health of children as well as that of the country.

India’s action complements WHO’s ongoing battle against Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), which though on the verge of elimination, continue to be public health challenges in the South-East Asia Region.

WHO is prioritizing elimination of Neglected Tropical Diseases in the Region and is committed to support all countries scale-up efforts and to make NTDs history.

Corporate Comm India (CCI Newswire)