Soil Transmitted Helminths (STH) are significant public health concern for Assam. Around 68% children of 1-14 years of age are estimated to be at risk of parasitic intestinal worm infestation.As per National Centre for Disease Control (2016) the prevalence of STH in Assam is 50%. Evidence has shown detrimental impact of STH infestation on physical growth-anaemia, undernutrition and cognitive development as well as school attendance. Periodic deworming can reduce the transmission of STH infections. Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India, in collaboration with Ministry of Women & Child Development, Department of School Education & Literacy (under Ministry of Human Resource Development), Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation and Ministry of Panchayati Raj has decided to conduct annual mass deworming day observing National Deworming Day (NDD). From the year 2015, mass deworming is conducted across 27 districts of Assam as a fixed day strategy to reduce the harm caused by STH on millions of children in a cost effective, simple and safe manner.
The objective of NDD is to deworm all preschool and school-age children between the ages of 1-19 years through the platform of schools and anganwadi centers in order to improve their overall health, nutritional status, access to education and quality of life.