In an effort to eradicate filariasis from the state, the Uttar Pradesh government led by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has urged the citizens to take preventive medication before August 28.
The appeal of the state government states, “There is only one way to protect yourself from the grip of filariasis, the disease that can leave your foot swollen like an elephant’s and even lead to hydrocele – take medicine. Filariasis, a disease transmitted through mosquito bites, poses a serious and incurable threat. Once contracted, it persists throughout one’s lifetime without remedy. Given this, it is essential that those who have not taken the prescribed medication do so by August 28. ASHA workers will visit homes, but if they are missed, individuals are urged to reach out and take the medicine. This is very important for you and your family.”
As per the chief minister’s directive, the government is conducting a campaign against filariasis under which the ASHA workers are visiting every household with the medicine.
Additionally, medicines for filariasis are also being made available in primary health centres (PHCs), community health centres (CHCs) and Jan Arogya Melas. The administration has urged people to contact ASHA workers if they are not available when the ASHA workers visit their houses.
This appeal from the state government testifies how serious Chief Minister Yogi is about the health of the citizens.
Principal Secretary (Health and Family Welfare) Parth Sarthi Sen Sharma said that under the National Filariasis Elimination Campaign, a mass drug administration programme was ongoing since August 10.
Sharma said that this medicine was completely safe and effective.
He said that everyone, except children under two years of age, pregnant women and seriously ill individuals, should take this medicine. He pointed out that the National Filariasis Elimination Campaign was being conducted in 27 districts of the state, where such cases were more commonly found.
Sharma further said that it took five to fifteen years for the disease to become noticeable, so one should not take any risks or make excuses in taking the medicine because the excuse one made today could put one in trouble for lifetime.
He said that there was no need to worry if anyone felt nauseous, dizzy, or vomited after taking the medicine. This could be due to the parasites of filariasis in the body, which may die after taking the medicine, causing such reactions which usually subside on their own after a while.
According to experts, if someone gets infected with filariasis, their entire life is often marked by pain and difficulties, which can also lead to social neglect due to the associated disabilities. The productivity of a person affected by the disease also decreases, which impacts their livelihood and economic progress. Therefore, taking the medicine for filariasis prevention is beneficial for oneself, as well as for the family and society.
As per experts, taking the medicine once a year continuously for five years can make a person safe from this disease.