Telangana to Conduct Statewide Deworming Drive for Nearly 9.7 Million Children Today

Telangana will carry out a large-scale deworming campaign across the state on Monday as part of the National Deworming Programme , aiming to protect children and adolescents from intestinal worm infections and their associated health complications.

The initiative will be formally launched by Telangana Health Minister Damodar Rajanarasimha at the Government High School in Raj Bhavan, Hyderabad, at 10 a.m. The programme is being implemented jointly by the Health Department, School Education Department, and the Women and Child Welfare Department.

According to officials, Albendazole tablets will be administered to 96.81 lakh children and adolescents aged between 1 and 19 years across Telangana. The drive will be conducted simultaneously in government and private schools, junior colleges, and Anganwadi centres throughout the state.

To ensure maximum coverage, the Health Department has also planned a mop-up round on July 20 for children who are unable to receive the medication during the main campaign.

Health Minister Damodar Rajanarasimha said intestinal worm infections can lead to several health issues among children, including anaemia, malnutrition, stunted growth, and weight loss . Such conditions can also affect concentration and learning ability, ultimately impacting academic performance. He urged parents to ensure that every child in the eligible age group receives the deworming medicine.

Health and Family Welfare Commissioner Dr. Sangeeta Satyanarayana said Albendazole is an effective and widely used treatment for preventing and controlling worm infestations. She added that children who do not attend school will be identified by ASHA workers and Anganwadi staff , who will help bring them to nearby centres for treatment.

Officials advised that the tablets should not be given on an empty stomach and must be administered under proper supervision. Children aged 1–2 years will receive half a tablet , while those aged 2–3 years will be given one tablet mixed with water . Children and adolescents aged 3–19 years should chew and swallow one full tablet .

The government expects the campaign to strengthen child health outcomes and improve nutrition and learning among young people across Telangana.