Poonch: The District Administration Poonch on Monday commenced the deworming drive to cover 179,404 children from government and private schools, Madrasas and Anganwadi centers.
The inaugural ceremony took place at the Government Middle School and Anganwadi Center near Sheesh Mahal, featuring active participation from local health institutions.
Deputy Commissioner Vikas Kundal officially launched the event, administering Albendazole tablets to children aged 1 to 19 years.
It was informed that children in 1,726 educational institutions including 1,391 government and 267 private schools and 68 Madrasas, besides 36,209 children enrolled in 1,419 Anganwadi Centers would be provided the medicine to protect them from parasitic worm infections.
The Deputy Commissioner said that the National Deworming Day aims to protect children from parasitic worm infections, thereby promoting their overall health. He emphasized the importance of this program, which is being implemented across the district to ensure that children remain physically and mentally fit, ultimately growing into responsible citizens.
In his address, the Deputy Commissioner urged all parents to ensure their children receive the deworming tablets, highlighting the importance of keeping them free from worm infections.
To maximize coverage, a mop-up round is scheduled for March 17, 2025, to reach any children who may have been missed during the initial implementation phase.
The event was attended by PO ICDS Khalid Hussain Wafa, CMO Dr. Parvaiz Ahmed Khan, Chief Education Officer, CDPO Abdul Aziz, and members of the DPM Unit NHM, all of whom underscored the collaborative effort to enhance the health of the district’s children.
