National Deworming Day is observed annually on February 10 with the goal of treating worm infections in school-age children. On this day, teachers in public and government-aided schools administer an intestinal worm medication to every kid between the ages of 1 and 19. In addition to this, the treatment is also provided by the anganwadi workers annually.. When children have worm infections, their physical and mental development may be hindered. In this article, let's learn a little more specifically about National Deworming Day 2023.

The significance of National Deworming Day in history : Even while their consequences might not be apparent right away, worms can cause long-term health problems in children and interfere with their health, education, and general well-being. Children can harbour worms for a very long time without knowing it, and their impaired physical and mental health may be the only outward sign. As a result, it was decided that even those kids who didn't seem unwell ought to be treated, and National Deworming Day was established.

In India, between the ages of 1 and 14, around 241 million children are prone to risk in developing parasitic intestinal worms, as per  World Health Organization research. These parasitic worms, often referred to as Soil-Transmitted Helminths (STH), are extremely dangerous for youngsters. As a result, National Deworming Day was established in 2015, with the inaugural celebration taking place on February 10th, 2015. This day's goal is to deworm all preschoolers and school-age kids in order to enhance their general health, nutritional status, educational opportunities, and quality of life.

Motives for Observing National Deworming Day: Although deworming is already a part of several initiatives, such as the Weekly Iron and Folic Acid Supplementation Program (WIFS), there was a specific need to commemorate National Deworming Day due to the rising number of cases. Worm infections also impair children's health, nutrition, and education by resulting in anaemia and malnutrition. Children with chronic illnesses frequently have stunted growth and underweight, and those who have severe infections are frequently too ill or exhausted to concentrate in class or to go to school. These hazards can all be avoided by periodically deworming kids. 

The risk of worm infection is brought to the attention of people all around the nation on National Deworming Day, and it is urged that they take part in the effort to completely eradicate worm illness.