Mass drug administration against Filariasis to start in 9 Madhya Pradesh districts from Feb 10

Senior Correspondent

NewsBits.in

BHOPAL:  Madhya Pradesh government is taking effective steps towards ensuring a Filariasis free state. In this sequence, as per the instructions of the Government of India, a Mass Drug Administration (MDA) programme will be conducted strategically in Filariasis affected districts in the state.

This program will be started in 23 identified development blocks of 9 districts of the state from February 10.

Filariasis is also known as Elephantiasis as patients develop extremely swollen feet due to fluid retention. It is an infectious disease that spreads through mosquito bites. Apart from fluid retention, it can also cause disfigurement in some cases. To make this program successful and to ensure that 100% beneficiaries are protected from Filariasis, a meeting of the State Task Force was held on February 4 under the chairmanship of Deputy Chief Minister Rajendra Shukla at the state secretariat.

Under this campaign combination of two medicines - DEC and Albendazole will be administered to affected people in 3 districts (Niwari, Datia, Shahdol) and three medicines - DEC, Albendazole and Ivermectin will be administered in 6 districts (Chhatarpur, Katni, Panna, Tikamgarh, Umaria, Mauganj).

The meeting was attended by the Principal Secretary Public Health and Medical Education of MP, Mission Director National Health Mission, Senior Regional Director Health and Family Welfare Government of India, State Program Officer (VBDCP) Public Health and Medical Department and officials of Public Relations Department, Education Department, Panchayat Department, Tribal Department, MNREGA, Forest Department, AYUSH Department, representative of World Health Organization of partner organization and Global Health Strategies (GHS) participated.

Shukla directed the officials that all the activities during the MDA program should be completed with full commitment in coordination with the concerned departments so that there is no lack in the success of the campaign.

He said that instead of distributing anti-Filariasis medicines, their consumption should be ensured in the presence of trained health workers. Also, explaining the importance of the MDA programme, he stressed the need for its wide publicity so that awareness increases in the community and people consume medicines voluntarily.

Dr. Saloni Sidana, Mission Director, National Health Mission, Madhya Pradesh, informed that coordination is being done with other departments to ensure the success of the MDA round. For the elimination of a serious disease like Filariasis, it is very important to focus on its prevention along with treatment, and this is possible only through the MDA campaign.

During the programme, a rapid response team will be deployed in every block, so that any beneficiary can get immediate help in case of any problem after taking the medicine.

State Program Officer (VBDCP), Public Health and Medical Department, Madhya Pradesh, Dr. Himanshu Jaiswar gave detailed information on the status of Filariasis in the state and the strategy of MDA. He informed that a list of patients of lymphedema and hydrocele has been prepared in the state and necessary steps are being taken for their proper management.

Under the MDA campaign, a target has been set to administer medicines to 52,85,805 beneficiaries out of a population of 58,08,577 in 23 identified blocks from February 10.

He informed that during this period, trained health workers will administer free anti-Filariasis medicines to the community by going from booth to door and door. These medicines are completely 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 health workers. These medicines should not be taken on an empty stomach,” he said.

To ensure the success of MDA, special focus is being laid on micro action planning, effective monitoring and collaborative supervision. Under this, a review meeting of the status of drug intake will be held every day in the evening at the district/block level and several review meetings will be held at the state level in between the MDA rounds.

Dr. Jaiswar informed that the program will be continuously monitored and reviewed so that any problem can be resolved immediately. He said that coordination and awareness at various levels is necessary to make the MDA program effective.

Chief Medical and Health Officers of Niwari, Shahdol, Chhatarpur, Katni, Panna, Tikamgarh, Umaria and Mauganj districts, officers of other concerned departments and representatives of partner organizations were also present.