As many as 96.76 per cent of children have been administered deworming tablets during the last round of deworming undertaken in August last year in Mizoram.
This was disclosed by Mizoram social welfare minister Dr K Beichhua on Monday.
The National Deworming Day was observed in Aizawl and other 10 district headquarters of Mizoram on Monday during which children and young adults between one and 19 years of age were administered Albendazole tablets in schools and anganwadi centres.
Speaking at the event, Beichhua said the government is giving priority to children, as they are in the stage of learning and physical development.
“It is because of this that the government is observing National Deworming Day across the country to eradicate various ailments caused by worm infestation such as malnourishment, anaemia, insufficiency in physical and cognitive development among children,” he said.
According to the minister, National Deworming Day has been observed nation-wide since 2016 after it was initially started by 11 states.
A mop-up programme to cover left out children in far-flung areas and absentees in schools will be conducted on February 17, he said.
The minister also administered Albendazole tablets to students during the event held at Government KVM High School at Aizawl’s Chhinga veng locality.