Bhubaneswar: To improve child health, tackle anaemia and prevent parasitic worm infections, the Odisha government, in collaboration with UNICEF, will launch state-wide National Deworming Day (NDD) programme August 10. The beneficiaries include 32,94,630 children aged 1 to 5 years in NDD districts and 1,28,89,071 children aged 6 to 19 years. A mop-up round will be conducted August 17 to provide the deworming dose to those who miss the medication August 10. Regular deworming improves the body’s ability to absorb essential nutrients, resulting in better nutrition, enhanced learning outcomes and reduced anaemia among children and adolescents. Emphasising the integrated approach of the campaign, UNICEF Odisha Nutrition Specialist Sourav Bhattacharjee said combining deworming with Vitamin A supplementation ensures that children receive essential health and nutrition services during a single visit.