Mohali:
A health awareness camp was organised at the School of Eminence, Phase 11, Mohali, on the occasion of National Deworming Day, with Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Balbir Singh attending the programme along with Mohali Mayor Sarabjit Singh Samana.
The programme focused on creating awareness among students about intestinal worm infections, personal hygiene and the importance of preventive healthcare. Health officials and representatives present at the camp interacted with students and highlighted simple measures that can help protect children from infections.
National Deworming Day is observed across India twice every year, with the August round taking place on August 10. The programme targets children and adolescents in the 1–19 years age group, with schools and Anganwadi centres serving as important platforms for reaching beneficiaries.
Speaking at the awareness programme, Dr. Balbir Singh emphasised the importance of maintaining good health and hygiene habits from an early age. He encouraged students to take responsibility for their personal cleanliness and to become more aware of practices that can prevent infections.
The Health Minister also stressed that maintaining clean hands, keeping fingernails trimmed, wearing footwear outdoors, washing fruits and vegetables properly and using clean drinking water are important measures for reducing the risk of intestinal worm infections.
The programme at the School of Eminence was aimed not only at the distribution and administration of deworming medication but also at educating students about the causes and prevention of worm infections. Health awareness programmes at schools can play an important role in helping children understand preventive healthcare in a simple and practical manner.
Mohali Mayor Sarabjit Singh Samana was also present during the programme and interacted with students and officials. The participation of civic representatives alongside health authorities highlighted the importance of coordination between different departments in improving public health and awareness.
Health officials explained that intestinal worm infections can affect children’s nutritional health and overall development. Regular deworming, combined with improved sanitation and personal hygiene, is an important part of preventive healthcare for children and adolescents.
The National Deworming Day programme is part of India’s broader public health effort to reduce the burden of soil-transmitted worm infections. The campaign is designed to reach children through schools and Anganwadi centres, while children who miss the scheduled dose are generally covered through designated mop-up activities.
For students, the Mohali camp also served as an opportunity to understand how everyday habits can influence their health. Officials encouraged them to share hygiene messages with their families and communities so that awareness extends beyond the school environment.
The programme comes at a time when preventive healthcare and health education are receiving increasing attention in schools. Regular awareness activities can help children develop healthy habits that continue into adulthood.
The event at the School of Eminence, Phase 11, therefore combined the immediate objective of the National Deworming Day campaign with a wider message about cleanliness, nutrition and preventive healthcare. With students, teachers, health officials and civic representatives participating, the programme reinforced the message that keeping children healthy requires not only medical intervention but also sustained awareness and responsible hygiene practices at home, in schools and in the wider community.
