Odisha Rolls Out Massive Deworming Drive for 1.8 Crore Women and Children

Odisha is launching a colossal public health campaign on August 10, 2026, aiming to deworm over 1.6 crore children and 19 lakh women across all 30 districts. This massive National Deworming Day (NDD) initiative, a joint effort by the state's Directorate of Health and Family Welfare and UNICEF, seeks to tackle widespread parasitic worm infections, boost child health, and combat anaemia. A follow-up 'mop-up round' is also scheduled for August 17 to ensure no one misses out on this crucial intervention. The significance of this biannual program cannot be overstated, especially for a state like Odisha where Soil-Transmitted Helminths (STH) contribute significantly to malnutrition, stunted growth, and poor academic performance among children. Beyond deworming with Albendazole tablets, this year's drive is notably integrated with the Vitamin A Supplementation (VAS) programme, targeting millions of children to further strengthen immunity and reduce mortality. This integrated approach, championed by officials like Dr. Aditya Mohapatra and UNICEF Sourav Bhattacharjee, aims to provide comprehensive health and nutrition services in a single visit, amplifying the overall impact. The program's success hinges on the widespread network of government, government-aided, and private schools, alongside Anganwadi centers, with dedicated teachers, Anganwadi Workers, and ASHA workers on the front lines administering the doses. As India's Ministry of Health and Family Welfare continues its nationwide NDD efforts launched in 2015, the Odisha government's push in the coming days will be a critical measure of its commitment to building a healthier future generation, with eyes on both immediate health gains and long-term developmental improvements.