A meeting of the District Level Coordination Committee was held in the Collectorate Auditorium, Jamshedpur, under the chairmanship of ADM Law and Order, Aniket Sachan, as per the instructions of District Magistrate cum Deputy Commissioner, Ananya Mittal. The meeting focused on preparations for the Filaria Mukti Abhiyan (Filaria Eradication Campaign), set to run from February 10 to February 25.
The campaign aims to combat filariasis through a Mass Drug Administration (MDA) program. Health workers will visit door-to-door in identified high-prevalence blocks, including Bodam, Patamda, Potka, and Golmuri-cum-Jugsalai, as well as urban areas, to administer DEC and Albendazole medicines.
Key Guidelines for Medicine Administration: Medicines must not be consumed on an empty stomach.Children under two years of age, pregnant women, and individuals with serious illnesses are excluded from the campaign. The campaign will be supervised by Anganwadi Sevikas and Sahiyas from the Health Department.
District Malaria Officer Dr. A. Mitra highlighted that filariasis is spread through mosquito bites and can lead to severe swelling in limbs and other body parts. Symptoms often remain undetected for years, emphasizing the importance of preventive measures.
ADM Law and Order Sachan stressed the need for community awareness, urging people to understand the seriousness of the disease and ensure participation. “The symptoms of filariasis may not appear for 5 to 15 years, so even those feeling healthy must take the prescribed medicines,” he stated.
All concerned departments, including Health, Social Welfare, Education, Information & Public Relations, and JSLPS, have been directed to raise awareness. Social organizations, NGOs, and civil society were also called upon to support the campaign.
ADM Sachan emphasized the importance of Albendazole in tackling malnutrition, particularly in children, by addressing issues caused by intestinal worms.
Participants in the meeting took a pledge for filaria eradication, and a campaign sticker was launched to promote the initiative.
The meeting was attended by Civil Surgeon Dr. Sahir Pal, ACMO Dr. Jogeshwar Prasad, District Malaria Officer Dr. A. Mitra, DRChHO Dr. Ranjit Panda, District Public Relations Officer Panchanan Oraon, Executive Magistrate Mrityunjay Kumar, District Education Officer, and other officials.
The ADM concluded by appealing to the public to actively support the campaign, ensuring no eligible individual is left out, and to help achieve the goal of making Jamshedpur district filaria-free.
