In order to prevent lymphatic filariasis, Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda and Jharkhand Health Minister Dr. Irfan Ansari virtually inaugurated the Mass Drug Administration (MDA) which kicked off in 14 districts of the State on Monday. Campaign Director NHM Abu Imran also participated in the program by taking a dose of the medicine.
Nadda said that the Government of India will provide all possible financial and technical support for the elimination of filariasis while the rest of the efforts will have to be made by the State. Nadda also said that filariasis should not be allowed to spread in any way and for this it is necessary to take the help of schemes like Ayushman Arogya Mandir and Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana.
The Union Minister directed that for the elimination of filariasis in the State, the drug administrator should ensure that the public is given medicines in his presence and for this the help of various departments should also be taken.
Health Minister Jharkhand said that filariasis is a serious disease and for its elimination from the State, under the Filariasis Eradication Program, a Mass Drug Administration program was started in 91 blocks of 14 districts affected by filariasis from February 10.
The Mass Drug Administration campaign started in 11 districts namely East Singhbhum, Bokaro, Deoghar, Dhanbad, Ranchi, Garhwa, Giridih, Gumla, Lohardaga, Ramgarh and Sahibganj with two medicines DEC and Albendazole while in three districts Simdega, Pakur and Koderma with three medicines DEC, Albendazole and Ivermectin. During this period, trained health workers will administer free anti- filariasis medicines to the public at the designated booths on the first day and door- to- door from the second day onwards.
Ansari also that these medicines are absolutely safe. “We have to take special care that except children below 2 years of age, pregnant women and seriously ill people, everyone has to consume anti- filariasis medicines in front of the health workers. These medicines should not be taken on an empty stomach.”
Ansari also said that there should be emphasis on using all means for the promotion of this program and that the public should be made aware by using as many digital publicity means as possible. One should take the medicines that protects against filariasis, feed them to their family members and also motivate the public to take them.
The State Health Minister also said that the success of the Mass Drug Administration program is only possible when there is public participation in it and urged the public to participate so that Jharkhand can become filariasis free soon.
In this program, Additional Chief Secretary Health and Medical Education Ajay Kumar Singh, Campaign Director NHM Abbu Imran, State Program Officer B.B.D., Dr. Birendra Kumar Singh, State Advisor, World Health Organization, Piramal Foundation and State Representative of GHS were present.