New Delhi, Feb 27 (IANS) Health Minister J.P. Nadda Friday said the government has started deworming drives in 11 states and union territories to protect children from the risk of parasitic worms.

"To keep the children away from the risk of parasitic worms, the government has launched national deworming day in 11 States and union territories that includes Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Haryana among others," Nadda said in a written reply in the Lok Sabha.

As per World Health Organisation (WHO) database, 241 million children (68 percent) between the ages of one to 14 years in India are at the risk of parasitic intestinal worms.

Worms can cause anemia, under-nutrition and impairment of mental and physical development.

Scientific evidences available clearly indicate that intestinal worms cause chronic intestinal blood loss that result in anemia.

Nadda further said that to make the drive effective, all pre-school and school children between the age of one to 19 years were administered deworming drug in the schools and anganwadi centres.

"Anganwadi workers provided deworming drug to all pre-school children (1-5 years) in the anganwadi centres. School teachers provided deworming drug to all school enrolled children of 6-19 years age as per the national guidelines," Nadda said.

"Training, awareness generation are also being given to the health workers and it is ensured that there are sufficient stock supply of deworming drug. There are specific guidelines and protocols for adverse event management as well," Nadda added.