Union Minister of State for Health & Family Welfare, Shri Prataprao Ganpatrao Jadhav virtually launched the second phase of the Bi-annual Nationwide Mass Drug Administration (MDA) campaign for Lymphatic Filariasis elimination, here today. The campaign targets 63 endemic districts across Bihar, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Odisha, Telangana, and Uttar Pradesh and will provide door-to-door administration of preventive medications in endemic areas, advancing India’s goal to eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis ahead of the global target. Alongside this, the ‘Revised Guideline on Elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis’ and IEC material were unveiled to provide a clear roadmap for elimination efforts.

State Health Ministers who joined the event included Shri Banna Gupta (Jharkhand), Shri Mangal Pandey (Bihar), Shri Damodar Rajanarasimha (Telangana), Dr. Mukesh Mahaling (Odisha), Shri Jai Pratap Singh (Uttar Pradesh) and Shri Dinesh Gundu Rao (Karnataka).

In his keynote address, Shri Prataprao Jadhav stated that “Lymphatic Filariasis, a mosquito-borne disease is preventable through simple measures, therefore, the Mass Drug Administration (MDA) rounds are crucial in halting its transmission.”

Shri Jadhav reaffirmed the government's unwavering commitment to public health stating, “Preventive measures such as avoiding mosquito bites and consuming anti-filarial medicines are key to stopping the transmission of Lymphatic Filariasis, which affects populations across 20 states and union territories in India. This disease not only impacts health and well-being but also leads to lifelong disability, due to lymphedema, affecting families profoundly. To ensure success in the upcoming MDA rounds it is imperative that 90% of all eligible populations consume these medicines.” He stressed on the need to have dedicated efforts to prevent and eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis in India.

Shri Jadhav also noted that efforts are being made to ensure pucca houses for people living in mud houses that make them more vulnerable to such diseases. He said efforts will also be made to develop a vaccine for Lymphatic Filariasis. He also highlighted that Disability Certificates are provided to the people affected with Lymphatic Filariasis.

He launched the MDA campaign by consuming the medicine himself and applauded the dedication and efforts of the line ministries, self-help groups, and other stakeholders for their contribution to the success of the campaign.

State Health Ministers spoke about their achievements and efforts in the direction of eliminating Lymphatic Filariasis since the inception of the Elimination of the Lymphatic Filariasis programme in 2004. They also thanked the Union Government for their unwavering support and assured their commitment towards eliminating the disease.

Smt. Aradhana Patnaik, Additional Secretary and MD (NHM), Health Ministry, stated that Lymphatic Filariasis is a preventable disease and this MDA campaign is currently being launched in 6 states. As part of the second phase of the MDA campaign on 10^th August 2024, 63 districts (38 triple drug & 25 double drug), and 771 blocks across 6 states are conducting the MDA campaign. She stated that the focus this time is not only on the distribution of medicines but to ensure their consumption so that the campaign achieves a success.

Smt. Vandana Jain, Joint Secretary, Health Ministry emphasised that “Lymphatic Filariasis, a mosquito-borne disease is preventable through simple measures, therefore, the Mass Drug Administration (MDA) rounds are crucial in halting its transmission."

Dr Atul Goel, Director General of Health Services; Smt. Vandana Jain, Joint Secretary, Health Ministry; Dr Tanu Jain, Director, National Centre for Vector-Borne Diseases and senior officials of the Union Health Ministry were present on the occasion.

Background

Lymphatic filariasis (LF) commonly known as elephantiasis (Haatipaon), is a serious debilitating disease transmitted through the bite of a Culex mosquito that breeds in dirty/polluted water.  Infection is usually acquired in childhood causing hidden damage to the lymphatic system with visible manifestations (lymphoedema, elephantiasis, and scrotal swelling/hydrocele) which occur later in life and can lead to permanent disability.

Lymphatic Filariasis (Haatipaon) is a priority disease that is targeted for elimination by 2027. Currently, LF has been reported in 345 districts across 20 states and union territories, with 90% of LF burden contributed by 8 states - Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal. India has employed a comprehensive five-pronged strategy: Mission mode MDA, Morbidity Management and Disability Prevention (MMDP), Vector control (Surveillance and Management), High-level advocacy, and Innovative approaches for the elimination of LF.

138 (40%) of the total endemic districts stopped Mass Drug Administration and cleared Transmission Assessment Survey (TAS 1), 159 districts of 13 states reported Mf >1 conducting Annual Mass Drug Administration and 41 districts are in various stages of Pre TAS/TAS, 5 districts failed Pre TAS (>1 Mf rate in 8 blocks) and 2 districts of Assam postponed MDA to 2025.  Till 2023, 6.19 lakh cases of lymphoedema and 1.27 lakh cases of hydrocele were reported from all the endemic districts.

MDA Campaign

India's efforts to eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis (LF) have seen significant progress with the launch of the Enhanced Strategy for LF Elimination by 2027. This strategy includes the mission mode Annual Mass Drug Administration (MDA) campaign, conducted biannually on 10th February and 10th August alongside National Deworming Day (NDD). In 2023, MDA was conducted in two phases, and reached 82% coverage nationally across 170 districts in 12 states, emphasizing Directly Observed Consumption. In 2024, the first phase of the MDA campaign was conducted in 96 districts across 11 states and reported national coverage of 95% against the eligible population.

For a successful execution of the MDA campaign, it is essential to provide information to all the households about the importance of the anti-filaria drug consumption to attain the targeted drug compliance of more than 90% against the eligible population. As part of the second phase of the MDA campaign on 10^th August 2024, 63 districts (38 triple drug & 25 double drug), and 771 blocks across 6 states are conducting the MDA campaign.

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