Telangana Launches Albendazole Distribution for 96.81 Lakh Children; Health Minister Damodar Rajanarasimha Starts Statewide Deworming Drive

Telangana Health Minister Damodar Rajanarasimha on Monday launched the statewide distribution of Albendazole tablets under the National Deworming Programme to prevent intestinal worm infections among children. The programme was inaugurated at Raj Bhavan Government High School, Hyderabad, where the Minister personally administered the tablets to students. A total of 96,81,855 children and students aged 1 to 19 years across Telangana will receive the tablets.

Statewide Albendazole Distribution Begins in Telangana

The deworming programme is being implemented by the Health Department in coordination with the:

• Education Department
• Women and Child Welfare Department

Under the campaign, 96,81,855 children and students between 1 and 19 years of age will receive Albendazole tablets through:

• Government schools
• Private schools
• Junior colleges
• Anganwadi centres

Minister Urges Parents to Ensure Every Child Receives the Tablet

Addressing the gathering, Health Minister Damodar Rajanarasimha appealed to parents to ensure that every child between 1 and 19 years receives the Albendazole tablet.

He said intestinal worm infections can lead to:

• Anaemia
• Malnutrition
• Stunted growth
• Weight loss

The Minister said these health problems can adversely affect children’s overall health and academic performance.

He noted that worm infections may not always be visibly apparent but can still have a significant impact on a child’s well-being.

He urged parents to fully cooperate with the deworming drive being conducted across schools, junior colleges and Anganwadi centres throughout Telangana.

Benefits of Deworming

The Minister explained that deworming:

• Eliminates intestinal worms
• Improves children’s health
• Helps better absorption of nutrients from food
• Strengthens immunity
• Enhances concentration and learning ability

Hygiene Awareness Also Part of the Programme

The Minister stressed that the National Deworming Programme is not limited to administering tablets alone.

He instructed Health Department officials to create awareness among children and parents on:

• Maintaining personal and environmental hygiene
• Washing hands with soap
• Using safe drinking water
• Thoroughly washing fruits and vegetables before consumption

Mop-Up Round on July 20

Children who are unable to receive the Albendazole tablet on the scheduled day for any reason will be covered during a mop-up round on July 20.

Dignitaries Present

The programme was attended by:

• Health Minister Damodar Rajanarasimha
• MLA Danam Nagender
• MLC Addanki Dayakar
• Health Department Principal Secretary Dr. Christina Z. Chongthu
• Health and Family Welfare Commissioner Dr. Sangeetha Satyanarayana
• Hyderabad DMHO Dr. P. Srinivas
• Other officials

The Telangana Government has launched the statewide distribution of Albendazole tablets under the National Deworming Programme, targeting 96,81,855 children and students aged 1 to 19 years. The campaign, inaugurated by Health Minister Damodar Rajanarasimha at Raj Bhavan Government High School in Hyderabad, aims to prevent intestinal worm infections, improve children’s health and nutrition, and promote hygiene awareness across the state. A mop-up round on July 20 will cover children who miss the scheduled distribution day.

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