Attending a sensitization programme organized for mediapersons on Wednesday here, Health and Family Welfare Joint Director Dr Madan Mohan Pradhan revealed that out of 66,000 filaria patients in Odisha, Dhenkanal district only accounts for 2,655.
Citing that Dhenkanal has been declared as a filaria prone district, Dr Pradhan said most of filaria patients are staying in Parjang block. Besides, Dr Pradhan said as filaria is curable, the Government has launched a mass drug administration programme in the State under which DET and alpendizol tablets will be distributed among the people free of cost.
Chief guest Dr Chita Ranjan Nayak said for prevention of the disease, the State Health and Family Welfare Department has observed December 14-20 as filaria awareness week. Health Minister Atanu -Sabyasachi Nayak will inaugurate mass the drug administration drive onDecember 19 which will continue for three days, he said.
Among others, NRHM coordinator Nitya Ranjan Baral, CDMO, Dhenkanal Dr Sangram Keshari Das, District Malaria Officer Dr Basudev Behera and District Information and Public Relations Officer Manas Ranjan Biswal were present.