The Uttar Pradesh government is working on a war footing to make the state filariasis-free by 2027. As part of this effort, a Mass Drug Administration (MDA) campaign was launched on Sunday in 195 blocks across 27 districts. The drive aims to eliminate lymphatic filariasis from the state by 2027.
Launching the campaign on Sunday, public representatives in 27 districts took the medicine for filariasis to set an example. Recognising the importance of community participation, the UP government has planned a collaborative effort involving multiple departments. The State Rural Livelihood Mission, Education Department, Panchayati Raj Department, and Food & Civil Supplies Department are working in collaboration with the Health Department to ensure widespread public cooperation and the success of the MDA campaign.
At the launch of the MDA campaign, Dr Pinky Jowel, Mission Director, National Health Mission, said that continuous monitoring is being maintained to ensure the campaign’s success, in line with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s vision. She added that the drive is following national health standards to achieve its objective effectively.
Additionally, the Mission Director has issued detailed guidelines and protocols to all departments participating in the campaign. These guidelines have been designed to ensure an integrated and consistent approach throughout their implementation.
A key aspect of the public participation strategy is involving women from self-help groups, who will play a vital role in addressing any public concerns or doubts regarding the safety and effectiveness of the medication.
The Education Department is actively contributing to this campaign by raising awareness through various school-based activities. Teachers will play an important role in educating students about filariasis prevention, including delivering daily briefings during prayer assemblies.
Additionally, the Food & Civil Supplies Department is also actively involved in disseminating important information about the campaign. The information will be strategically shared at ration shops to ensure that it reaches a large section of the population.
The Principal Secretary, Health, emphasised the campaign’s importance as a key step against filariasis. He said that the success of the campaign depends on broad public participation and cooperation.
Filariasis is a disease that spreads through the bite of an infected Culex mosquito, producing symptoms like swelling and milky urine that may appear even 10–15 years after the mosquito bite. Although filariasis is currently incurable, annual medication given for five years can effectively prevent the onset of the disease.
The MDA campaign will run in several districts, including Auraiya, Bahraich, Balrampur, Basti, Chandauli, Deoria, Etawah, Farrukhabad, Fatehpur, Ghazipur, Gonda, Gorakhpur, Hardoi, Kannauj, Kanpur Dehat, Kanpur Nagar, Kaushambi, Lakhimpur Kheri, Kushinagar, Maharajganj, Mirzapur, Sant Kabir Nagar, Siddharthnagar, Sitapur, Shravasti, Raebareli, and Sultanpur.
To successfully conduct the drive, over 35,483 drug administrators (DAs) and 7,096 supervisors have been deployed on the ground. Information and communication technology equipment has been sent to 195 blocks and Ayushman Arogya Mandirs.
Detailed micro-plans have been prepared to ensure readiness after meetings with 195 Block Task Forces and review of preparations. A total of 390 rapid response teams have been kept on standby to deal with any adverse drug effects. This extensive implementation aims to protect a large section of the population from the threat of filariasis.