The Government of India (GoI) has launched a Mass Drug Administration (MDA) campaign on 10 February 2022 for the elimination of lymphatic filariasis (LF) in 10 endemic districts of Odisha. These include Balasore, Bhadrak, Bolangir, Cuttack, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Khurda, Nayagarh, Nuapada and Rayagada.
Under the ongoing MDA campaign, GoI is administering LF drugs to 640 million people at risk in 930 blocks in 90 affected districts in 10 states.
ASHA Jhunubala Sahoo fingermarking a student after administering anti-filaria medication at Daspalla High School in Nayagarh district, Odisha (©WHO India)
The Odisha campaign was inaugurated at Daspalla High School in Nayagarh district on 10 February with the active participation of students, teachers and health care workers. Anti-filaria medication was administered to 450 students. “I always motivate students and their parents to take medication for filaria as it will help our country eliminate this debilitating disease. I even use the PTA (parent teacher association) meetings to spread awareness,” said Ms Pranati Patnaik, principal, Daspalla High School.
The MDA campaign has been rolled out in several schools in Odisha to meet the country’s goal to eliminate LF by 2027. In Odisha, 51 371 trained drug administrators, including ASHAs, are visiting every household in 10 districts to ensure drug consumption by 13 606 948 beneficiaries. WHO’s national and field teams are assisting the government in concurrent monitoring of MDA rounds. “This campaign will run till 19 February in Odisha. We advise everyone to take the anti-filaria medication in front of the drug administrator visiting the house. We also advise them to seek our support in case they experience side effects,” said Ms Manjuladevi Mohapatra, auxiliary nurse midwife, Nayagarh district.
Lucknow-resident Sushila Pandey has LF, which is one of the world’s leading causes of permanent disability. Early detection and treatment help prevent disability and disease progression. (© WHO India)
LF, commonly known as elephantiasis or haathipao (elephant’s foot in Hindi), is a neglected tropical disease, which occurs when filarial parasites are transmitted to humans through mosquitoes. Infection is usually acquired in childhood causing hidden damage to the lymphatic system. The painful and profoundly disfiguring visible manifestations of the disease, lymphoedema, elephantiasis and scrotal swelling occur later in life and can lead to permanent disability. These patients are not only physically disabled, but suffer mental, social and financial losses contributing to stigma and poverty. Read more.
MDA is the WHO-recommended preventive chemotherapy strategy for LF elimination that involves administering an annual dose of medicines to the entire at-risk population. The medicines used have a limited effect on adult parasites, but effectively reduce the density of microfilariae in the bloodstream and prevent the spread of parasites to mosquitoes.