Government officials administer Albendazole 400 mg tablets to schoolchildren during the National Deworming Day programme at Government Primary School, Nallagutta Old, in Secunderabad on Monday.
| Photo Credit: RAMAKRISHNA G.
Telangana government on Monday conducted the National Deworming Day (NDD) Programme, under which Albendazole tablets were administered to children and adolescents aged between one and 19 years, to reduce anaemia, worm-related illnesses and soil-transmitted helminth infections.
The one-day programme covered 90.31 lakh (93.29%) children against the target of 96.81 lakh. According to data released by the Health department, Mulugu recorded the highest coverage at 96.14%, followed by Hyderabad (96.04%), Mancherial (96.02%), Nizamabad (96.36%), Nirmal (96.50%), Rajanna Sircilla (95.69%), Narayanpet (95.85%) and Jogulamba Gadwal (95.65%).
A mop-up day will be held on July 20 to cover children who could not make it on the main deworming day.
Health Minister C. Damodar Raja Narasimha inaugurated the programme at Government High School, Lok Bhavan, Hyderabad, and appealed to parents to ensure that every eligible child receives the deworming tablet.
“Intestinal worm infections can lead to anaemia, malnutrition, stunted growth and weight loss, affecting children’s physical development and their ability to concentrate on studies. Although intestinal worms are not visible to the naked eye, they can have a significant impact on children’s health,” he said.
Under the programme, Albendazole tablets will be administered through a fixed-day approach at Anganwadi centres, schools and colleges. The dosage will vary according to age. Children aged one to two years will receive half a crushed tablet, while those aged two to three years will be given one crushed tablet. Children aged three to 19 years will receive one chewable tablet. Each Albendazole tablet contains 400 mg of the drug.
Published – July 13, 2026 04:46 pm IST
