Deworming Tablets to Be Administered to Children Below 19 Years from Today

Mangaluru, Feb 10, 2026: As part of efforts to ensure better health and improved quality of life for children, a district-wide deworming programme targeting children aged between one and 19 years will be launched from Monday, February 10.

The initiative aims to improve children’s nutritional status and overall health, which are considered essential for their educational development and future well-being. Intestinal worms are parasites that survive by feeding on nutrients from the human intestine, adversely affecting growth and health, officials said.

February 10 is observed as National Deworming Day. In view of the prevalence of worm infections among children in the 1–19 age group, deworming tablets will be administered free of cost to all children in government, aided and unaided schools and colleges, as well as anganwadi centres across the district.

Children who miss the dose on February 10 will be covered on the mop-up day scheduled for February 16. Children who are not enrolled in anganwadis or schools, including school dropouts, will be administered the tablets through ASHA workers, anganwadi workers and junior female health assistants to ensure universal coverage.

The chewable deworming tablet will be given after the midday meal in schools under the supervision of teachers, while anganwadi workers will administer the tablets at anganwadi centres. Children aged between one and two years will be given half a tablet, while those aged between two and 19 years will receive a full tablet.

Health officials noted that worm infections can spread due to practices such as playing barefoot outdoors, consuming food without washing hands, open defecation, improper handwashing after using toilets, eating unwashed fruits and vegetables, and leaving food uncovered. Poor sanitation and lack of personal hygiene are major contributors to worm infestation, which can also occur through contact with contaminated soil.

Symptoms of severe worm infestation include abdominal pain, diarrhoea, loss of appetite and fatigue. In cases of mild infection, symptoms may not be noticeable. Worm infestation can lead to anaemia, as worms feed on blood, and cause malnutrition by depriving children of essential nutrients, resulting in stunted physical growth. Worms also absorb Vitamin A from the intestine, affecting immunity and vision.

The infection has long-term implications on children’s education and future productivity, as affected children tend to fall ill frequently, remain absent from school, or struggle to concentrate in class. This can impair both physical and cognitive development, officials warned.

Under the programme, World Health Organization-certified Albendazole tablets (400 mg) will be distributed free of cost. For children aged one to two years, half a tablet will be crushed and mixed with breast milk before administration, while children aged two to 19 years will be given a full tablet.

The benefits of deworming include prevention of anaemia, improved nutrition, enhanced immunity, better concentration and learning ability, improved school attendance, and reduced transmission of worm infections from one child to another.

The district health and family welfare department has set a target of administering deworming tablets to 5,56,473 children in Dakshina Kannada district during the 2025–26 year, according to an official release.