INDIA – India’s Ministry of Health and Family Welfare continues the rollout of its annual nationwide Mass Drug Administration (MDA) campaign aimed at ending disease transmission of Lymphatic Filariasis (LF).
In the second phase of the national program, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare’s focus is on selected pockets of high-burden States in the country.
The second phase of the annual nationwide mass drug administration campaign against Lymphatic Filariasis began on August 10, 2023, and ends on August 28, 2023.
A combination of three drugs — Ivermectin, Diethylcarbamazine, and Albendazole (IDA) — is being administered to everyone except children below 5 years of age, pregnant women, and seriously ill people in the affected areas.
Hence, the second phase will cover 81 districts in 9 endemic States including Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Odisha, Telangana, and Uttar Pradesh.
This phase was inaugurated by Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, who also launched national guidelines for the clinical management of Dengue Fever and Chikungunya Fever.
In his address, Union Health Minister, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, stated: “India remains committed to eliminating Lymphatic Filariasis by 2027, three years ahead of the global target of 2030.”
India is committed to fully eradicating LF through mission mode, multi-partner, a targeted mass drug administration drive targeting individuals at risk, and effective drug treatments for those affected.
In the country’s quest to eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis, it is vital that endemic districts consistently achieve robust mass drug administration coverage.
It is anticipated that the annual nationwide mass drug administration initiative will form the foundation for preventing and controlling the spread of Lymphatic Filariasis in India.
“Efforts must not be limited to taking medicines, but also aid in eliminating the spread of diseases via mosquitos, without which progress to achieve our goal will be significantly restricted,” noted Dr. Mandaviya.
Lymphatic Filariasis, commonly known as elephantiasis, is a neglected tropical disease. It is worrying that Lymphatic Filariasis is the second largest cause of long-term disability in the world.
There are 670 million people at risk of contracting Lymphatic Filariasis in India, which bears 40% of the global burden of the disease.
In concerted efforts to eradicate this parasitic vector-borne disease, global experts warn that avoiding mosquito bites and taking anti-filarial medications is the only way to avoid contracting Lymphatic Filariasis.
As part of the ongoing national initiative, Dr. Mandaviya appealed to the patients to take anti-filarial medications in front of healthcare professionals as a measure of eradicating Lymphatic Filariasis.
What’s more, the concept of community engagement is of central importance for the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare as it continues the rollout of its annual program to eliminate LF.
Underscoring the wide reach of a mass movement, Union Health Minister Dr. Mandaviya commented: “Incorporating awareness generation, and ensuring communication campaigns at villages, panchayats will galvanize the movement leading to wide reach across the nation.”
This multi-level concept will contribute significantly to garnering success in the mass drug administration campaign against Lymphatic Filariasis through the involvement of all stakeholders starting from the grassroots level.
It underpins the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare’s strategic plan to promote collaborative efforts and enhance synergy between state and central governments for ensuring a healthier nation for all.
Reiterating the nation’s health agenda for this cause, Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya said: “Through Jan Bhagidaari and ‘Whole of Government’ and ‘Whole of Society’ approach, we shall be able to eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis in India.”
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