Under the National Filariasis Eradication Programme (NFEP), a Morbidity Management and Disability Prevention (MMDP) camp and testing campaign was conducted in cooperation with the Centre for Advocacy and Research (CFAR) at Chilbila village panchayat building of Badagaon Primary Health Centre (PHC) here on Thursday. The programme was organised under the direction of Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr Sandeep Chaudhary. The doctors of Banaras Hindu University (BHU) and their team also examined the patients and their families to study the previously identified lymphoedema filariasis (swelling in the arms, legs and breasts) patients.
The patients suffering from lymphatic filariasis (LF)were given MMDP kits for the care of the affected organs. Dr Amit Kumar Singh, in-charge of the Filaria Control Unit at Lal Bahadur Shastri (LBS) Hospital, Ramnagar, trained the patients on the use of MMDP kit. According to him, this disease not only makes the person disabled but also has a negative impact on the mental condition of the patient. “Symptoms of this disease are not visible in the beginning and are seen after five to 10 years. To prevent this use a mosquito net while sleeping. Carrier mosquitoes can be avoided by maintaining cleanliness in and around the house and eliminating waterlogging,” he said.
Dr Amit said that there is no fear of infection in the parts affected by filariasis, mainly by maintaining cleanliness of the feet and by doing regular exercise and yoga, the swelling also reduces. “If carelessness is taken towards this, the organs start getting damaged and the problem increases,” he said, adding that the necessary medicines should also be taken to stop it from increasing. He said that those who have swelling in their hands and feet or are affected by filariasis, there is leakage of water from their organs. In this situation, cleanliness of their affected body parts is very important. Therefore MMDP kit is being provided. This kit includes one tub, mug, bucket, towel, soap, anti-fungal cream etc. The members of the Filaria Patient Support Group (PSG) network are sensitising the community about filariasis. Along with this, the myths related to the disease are also being dispelled. Shivani, Trupti and Sunil, a team from the Biochemistry Department of BHU, took blood samples of filariasis patients and their family members, previously identified by the Health department. A survey was also conducted in the nearby area. This study will help in understanding lymphatic filariasis in depth, so that treatment of this disease can be found. On the occasion gram pradhan Sabhajit Saroj, Vikramaditya from IAD Filaria Centre located at Government Ayurvedic College (Chowkaghat), SLT Parshuram Giri, insect collector KP Singh, representatives of CFAR and others were also present.