MOHALI — Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Balbir Singh inaugurated the state-level healthcare campaign in SAS Nagar.
Specifically, the Punjab National Deworming Day 2026 drive kicked off at the School of Eminence in Phase 11.
The Minister personally administered chewable Albendazole tablets to students during the official ceremony.
Furthermore, he interacted directly with young learners to discuss daily hygiene, clean water, and healthy eating habits.
Students presented an engaging street play emphasizing proper handwashing and protection against parasite infections.
Consequently, the performance effectively communicated vital sanitation messages to classmates, teachers, and visiting officials.
The state government aims to cover seventy-one lakh children aged one to nineteen across all districts.
Additionally, healthcare workers will conduct a follow-up mop-up drive on August 17 for missed children.
Therefore, the Health Department ensures comprehensive outreach through schools, Anganwadi centers, and community networks.
Dr. Balbir Singh highlighted that deworming serves as a vital investment in child nutrition and future development.
Interactive Student Street Play Highlights Good Hygiene and Sanitation Practices
During the event, students showcased creative theatrical performances depicting common sources of worm infestation.
Specifically, the street play illustrated how unwashed hands, raw food, and contaminated water spread intestinal parasites.
Furthermore, the interactive performance explained how routine deworming prevents severe fatigue, stunting, and chronic anemia.
Health Minister Dr. Balbir Singh praised the young performers for simplifying complex medical information through creative arts.
Consequently, the initiative encouraged students to become active health ambassadors within their local communities.
Additionally, all attendees took a solemn pledge to maintain cleanliness and support disease prevention efforts.
Therefore, the Punjab National Deworming Day 2026 program combines medical administration with active behavioral awareness campaigns.
Indeed, school teachers noted that theatrical demonstrations help children remember essential sanitation rules much better.
Consequently, educational institutions plan to replicate similar peer-led health plays in rural schools statewide.
State Target Aims to Cover Seventy-One Lakh Children and Adolescents
Importantly, the Health Department deployed thousands of trained healthcare staff to execute this massive drive.
Director of Family Welfare Dr. Aditi Salaria detailed the operational strategy supporting the Punjab National Deworming Day 2026 campaign.
She urged parents and guardians to ensure their children consume the prescribed single-dose Albendazole tablet.
Furthermore, medical officers confirmed that the World Health Organization-approved medicine remains completely safe for all children.
Even asymptomatic children benefit from preventive deworming by improving nutrient absorption and overall physical stamina.
Consequently, school attendance and classroom focus improve significantly when children remain free from parasitic infections.
Additionally, Civil Surgeon Dr. Sangeeta Jain confirmed that frontline ASHA and Anganwadi workers are monitoring coverage.
They will reach out-of-school children and toddlers across vulnerable urban slums and rural habitations.
Therefore, Punjab’s systematic strategy leaves no child behind during this bi-annual public health initiative.
Building a ‘Rangla Punjab’ Through Comprehensive Child Healthcare Initiatives
Crucially, Health Minister Dr. Balbir Singh connected child health programs directly to state development goals.
He stated that healthy children form the backbone of a progressive and prosperous ‘Rangla Punjab’.
Furthermore, the government continues strengthening school infrastructure alongside essential public health services.
The upgraded Schools of Eminence provide ideal venues for integrated health checkups, eye tests, and immunization.
Additionally, Mohali Mayor Sarabjit Singh Samana and District Planning Committee Chairperson Er. Prabhjot Kaur attended the launch.
They called upon civil society groups, municipal bodies, and panchayats to support local health teams.
Consequently, community leaders pledged active cooperation to achieve one hundred percent target coverage in Mohali.
Moreover, regular monitoring at district levels guarantees timely medicine supply and protocol compliance.
In summary, the state demonstrates strong political and administrative commitment toward preventive pediatric healthcare.
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Comprehensive Health Protocols Ensure Full Protection for Missed Doses
Meanwhile, health officials issued specific guidelines for children who could not take the dose on launch day.
The dedicated Mop-Up Day on August 17 will cover absent, ill, or newly identified children.
Furthermore, parents are advised to encourage proper hand hygiene before meals and after toilet use.
The Punjab National Deworming Day 2026 initiative works in tandem with clean water and sanitation projects.
Consequently, combining preventive medicine with sanitation awareness reduces re-infection rates significantly across districts.
Health workers will distribute informational flyers to educate families on protecting drinking water sources.
Therefore, state medical teams remain confident in achieving long-term eradication of soil-transmitted helminths.
Overall, the comprehensive campaign sets a benchmark for integrated school-based health programs in northern India.
Key Summary of the Punjab Deworming Campaign 2026
The table below outlines the primary targets, age criteria, and key operational details for the state campaign:
| Campaign Parameter / Metric | Operational Guideline & Target | Expected Health Impact on Children |
| Statewide Target Population | 71 Lakh children and adolescents across Punjab | Eradication of parasitic worm burden |
| Eligible Age Bracket | Children aged 1 to 19 years old | Improved physical growth & immunity |
| Primary Medicine Administered | Single chewable Albendazole tablet (WHO-approved) | Prevention of anemia and malnutrition |
| Primary Launch Venue | School of Eminence, Phase 11, Mohali | High peer engagement & student awareness |
| Scheduled Mop-Up Day | August 17, 2026 | 100% coverage for absent or sick children |