Punjab Government has decided to conduct complete health check-ups of students in all the government and aided schools across the State. On the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, comprehensive health check-ups will be conducted to monitor childrens hemoglobin levels, height, weight, and eyesight, said the state Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Balbir Singh, while addressing a state-level event organized by the Health Department on National Deworming Day at Government Senior Secondary Smart School, Tripuri, Patiala, where he was the chief guest. The Minister, emphasizing the critical importance of childrens health in building a prosperous Punjab, said: Wherever issues are identified, immediate corrective actions will be taken because only healthy children can lead us to a prosperous Punjab. In an informal interaction with the media, Dr Balbir shared additional initiatives to enhance student well-being. Students in Classes XI and XII, as well as college-going youth, will be trained in life skills and first aid. Nursing students, medical interns, and degree college students will also be groomed as master trainers to prevent diseases like dengue and other vector-borne illnesses, he said, adding, This year, due to the success of our War on Dengue campaign, dengue cases in Punjab have reduced by 50 percent. Highlighting the issue of intestinal worm infections among children aged one to 19, Dr Balbir explained that Albendazole tablets are distributed twice annually to combat tapeworms and other parasitic infections. Today, on National Deworming Day, around 72 lakh tablets have been distributed to students in government, aided, and private schools. Additionally, a Mop-up Day will be observed on December 5 to ensure no child is left untreated, he said. Dr Balbir cited a World Health Organization (WHO) report, which states that 241 million children globally are affected by intestinal worms. In Punjab, approximately 39 percent of children face this issue, according to a Government of India survey. Intestinal worms live in the intestines, laying thousands of eggs daily. These eggs spread through open defecation, unclean hands, or walking barefoot and can contaminate soil, vegetables, and water, affecting others, he said. The Minister also urged the parents and children to adopt preventive measures, including maintaining hygiene by trimming nails, washing hands regularly, avoiding open defecation, walking barefoot, drinking boiled water, and thoroughly washing fruits and vegetables.

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