New Delhi: The Union Health Minister JP Nadda has rolled out the annual national mass drug administration (MDA) campaign for the elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis (LF) across 13 identified LF endemic states by 2027.
Launching the program via a video conference, the Union Health Minister said, “from February 10 onwards, these medicines will be made available free of cost to a population of over 17.5 crore across endemic districts. It is imperative that residents in these areas consume the medicines, protecting themselves and their families from this debilitating disease.”
“The endemic districts must ensure that over 90 per cent of the eligible population consume anti-filaria medicines,” the minister added.
The Health Minister also noted that, “India has and will continue to remain steadfast in its commitment to eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis by 2027 ahead of the SDG goal of 2030.”
As per the health ministry, “the MDA campaign will cover 111 endemic districts across 13 states—Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal.
Under the annual drive, the authorities will administer Diethylcarbamazine Citrate (DEC) and Albendazole (Double Drug Regimen) and Ivermectin, DEC and Albendaz (Triple Drug Regimen) , to LF patients free of cost.
Lymphatic Filariasis (Haatipaon) commonly known as elephantiasis is a priority disease reported in 345 districts across 20 states and union territories, with 90 per cent of the total cases reported across eight states.
According to the National Centre of Vector Borne Diseases Control Board, as of 2023, 6.19 lakhs cases of lymphedema and 1.26 lakhs cases of hydrocele have been reported from all the endemic districts.
