In order to prevent lymphatic filariasis, an awareness drive for children of all government schools will be launched. For this, a Mass Drug Administration will be organised by the Health and Family Welfare Department in mission mode twice a year on February 10 and August 10 in conjunction with National Deworming Day (NDD).
In the first phase, medicine for filariasis will be administered in 14 districts of the State from February 10, 2025. The districts in which MDA will be held include East Singhbhum, Bokaro, Deoghar, Dhanbad, Garhwa, Giridih, Gumla, Koderma, Lohardaga, Pankur, Ramgarh, Sahibganj, Simdega and Ranchi.
An awareness campaign will be launched in all government schools of the State for widespread awareness of MDA and lymphatic filariasis. In this regard, Jharkhand Education Project Council has sent a letter to the District Education Officers of all the districts and directed them to ensure successful implementation of this campaign.
The letter states that children will be given the medication to prevent filariasis after midday meal in schools. The District Education Officer have also been directed to attend the meeting of the District Task Force as the nodal officer to discuss the MDA program, so that detailed guidelines can be issued for the implementation of MDA activities across schools in urban areas.
The nodal officer will be present in the meeting of the District Coordination Committee. Students will be made aware about Lymphatic Filariasis in prayer meetings in schools while essay writing and painting competitions will also be organised to create awareness among children before MDA activities.