Bhubaneswar: Starting from the 10th, a Mass Drug Administration (MDA) program will be launched in six filariasis-endemic districts of Odisha to eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis (LF). This campaign will continue until the 19th. To raise public awareness about the causes and prevention of this disease, a state-level media awareness workshop was organized on Thursday in the conference hall of the Directorate of Health Services with the support of the Health & Family Welfare Department and Global Health Strategies.
Key Highlights from the Workshop:
Dr. Bijay Mahapatra, the Department’s Principal Secretary, mentioned that in six districts—Balangir, Cuttack, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Nayagarh, and Rayagada—eligible beneficiaries will take anti-filarial drugs under the supervision of health workers. The medication will be administered to everyone except children under two years of age, pregnant women, and individuals with severe illnesses.
Dr. Jitendra Kumar Bebarta, the Additional Secretary, emphasized the importance of voluntary participation by the public in the program. Public Health Director Dr. Neelakantha Mishra stated that filariasis is a major public health issue transmitted through mosquito bites.
- Common Complications Include:
- Hydrocele: Swelling of the scrotum
- Lymphedema: Swelling of limbs or body parts
Chyluria: Milky white urine due to lymphatic leakage
Filariasis can be prevented through the consumption of anti-filarial drugs such as DEC (Diethylcarbamazine), Albendazole, and Ivermectin.
Program Implementation:
Dr. Prabhakar Sahu, Additional Director of the National Vector-Borne Disease Control Program and State Program Officer, informed that by 2027, the goal is to eliminate filariasis from the six endemic districts through multiple phases of MDA campaigns.
During this phase, the program aims to cover 3,77,406 people across six districts. To achieve this, around 15,031 trained drug administrators will conduct door-to-door visits to distribute the medication. Additionally, 1,503 supervisors will oversee the program’s implementation and monitoring.
Anuj Ghosh, Senior Director of Global Health Strategies, expressed his gratitude for the collaborative efforts in this campaign.
Conclusion:
The Mass Drug Administration program plays a vital role in eliminating Lymphatic Filariasis in Odisha, with significant efforts from health workers, supervisors, and community participation.