Over 1.5 billion people worldwide are infected by intestinal worms, also known as Soil Transmitted Helminths (STH), according to the World Health Organization (WHO). In India, nearly 241 million children between the ages of 1 and 14 predicted to be at risk of being infected
New Delhi: India marks National Deworming Day (NDD) twice a year, on February 10 and in the month of August. The day has been commemorated by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare since 2015, to deworm all children between the ages of 1-19 years, through the platform of schools, health centres and Anganwadi Centers. It aims to improve the overall health and nutritional status of children and their access to education and quality of life.
More than 1.5 billion people or 24 per cent of the world’s population are infected by intestinal worms, also known as Soil Transmitted Helminths (STH), according to the World Health Organization (WHO). In India, STH is a significant public health concern, with 241 million children between the ages of 1 and 14 predicted to be at risk of being infected.
On the occasion, the NDTV-Dettol Banega Swasth India team spoke to Dr Sivaranjani Santosh, Paediatrician at Magna Centres in Hyderabad and Dr. Sabina Kapasi, Advisor, Public Health and Healthcare Services Strategist, United Nations Covid Task Force, about how children get infected by the worms, how to identify the symptoms and what’s the severity of worm infestation, among others.
Talking about the intestinal worms, Dr Sabina said,
Intestinal worms, the silent invaders residing within us, are more common than you might think. These parasites, known as Soil-Transmitted Helminths (STH), quietly make their homes in the human intestines, leeching away vital nutrients and causing a myriad of health issues.