UP launches statewide mass drug drive against filariasis, targets 14 million people

The Mass Drug Administration (MDA) campaign, considered crucial in the fight against filariasis in Uttar Pradesh, began on Tuesday.

Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda virtually inaugurated the campaign. Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak, Minister of State for Health Mayankeshwar Sharan Singh, Additional Chief Secretary for Health Amit Ghosh, NHM Mission Director Dr. Pinky Jowel, and district magistrates from 21 districts joined the event from Lucknow.

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Nadda said that the chain of infection will not be broken until more than 90 percent of eligible people take the medicine. This campaign is being implemented in 124 districts across 12 states, including Uttar Pradesh.

Pathak said that the state government is fully committed to the goal of a filariasis-free Uttar Pradesh. In this campaign, which will run from February 10t to 28, ASHA workers and other health workers will go door-to-door and administer anti-filariasis medication to approximately 14 million people.

Under the campaign, all eligible individuals over the age of one will receive age-appropriate World Health Organization-recommended medications—ivermectin, diethylcarbamazine (DEC), and albendazole.

State Filaria Officer Dr. A.K. Chaudhary stated that a five-pillar strategy has been adopted in the state for filariasis elimination, which includes MDA, disease management and prevention, mosquito control, interdepartmental coordination, and innovation.

Shahjahanpur has the highest number of blocks covered under the campaign, with 13. This campaign will be followed by Ballia with 12 blocks, Barabanki with 7, Unnao and Chitrakoot with 4 blocks each, Pratapgarh with 3, and Hardoi, Prayagraj, Sonbhadra, Kaushambi, Ayodhya, and Bhadohi with 2 blocks each.

At the same time, anti-filariasis medicines will be administered in one block each in Rae Bareli, Ambedkar Nagar, Kheri, Pilibhit, Auraiya, Banda, Fatehpur and Bahraich, including the Mal block of Lucknow.