India strengthens efforts to eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis by 2027

10 February 2023 | News

Health workers will go door-to-door to administer anti-filaria medicine in 10 filaria affected States

image credit- pib

image credit- pib

Union Secretary for Health & Family Welfare, Rajesh Bhushan has launched a nationwide Mass Drug Administration (MDA) campaign aimed at ending disease transmission through the door-to-door administration of anti-filarial drugs, especially in 10 filaria affected states.

This launch comes a month after the programme received resounding support from the Health Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya to eliminate Filariasis by 2027, three years ahead of the global target.

High-burden districts in Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Karnataka, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, and Andhra Pradesh have jointly launched the campaign. India has ramped up efforts in eliminating Lymphatic Filariasis, a Vector Borne Disease caused by Culex mosquitoes which causes disability well ahead of global targets to safeguard communities from disability, social and economic insecurity.

Roli Singh, Additional Secretary and Mission Director (NHM), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said that “We have adopted a multi-pronged approach with MDA round in two phases, where 1113 blocks in 90 districts across ten states will be launching a campaign against Filariasis. It was informed that in spite of 10-15 MDA rounds in the past, the LF elimination could not be achieved due to sub optimal coverage."

She highlighted that over the last month, states have adopted some innovative mechanisms to reach out to communities such as Bihar has roped in 120 colleges for MDA, the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRI), Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and other allied departments have collaborated in the MDA states to sensitise communities on MDA.

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