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Gujarat Launches 3-Day Mass Drug Drive Against Filariasis in 4 Talukas

The Gujarat Health Department will conduct a three-day Mass Drug Administration (MDA) programme from February 10 to 12 to combat lymphatic filariasis. The drive targets four talukas in Bharuch, Narmada, and Dang districts where recent night blood surveys detected the parasite. Over 5.48 lakh people will receive anti-filarial medicines through door-to-door visits by 649 health teams and at designated booths and institutions. The campaign is part of a national effort to eliminate the disease by 2030.

Key Points: Gujarat Filariasis Mass Drug Administration Drive Begins Feb 10

  • Targets 4 talukas across 3 districts
  • Covers over 5.48 lakh people
  • Uses DEC and Albendazole drugs
  • 649 teams for door-to-door distribution
2 min read

Mass drug programme against filariasis to begin in Gujarat from Feb 10, covering 5.48 lakh

Gujarat Health Dept launches a 3-day mass drug programme from Feb 10-12 to eliminate filariasis, covering over 5.48 lakh people in 4 talukas.

"The objective is to eliminate filariasis by 2030 through sustained mass drug administration and surveillance. - Health Officials"

Gandhinagar, Feb 9

The Gujarat Health Department will launch the third round of the Mass Drug Administration programme against filariasis from February 10 to 12, covering four talukas across Bharuch, Narmada and Dang districts, officials said on Monday.

The campaign aims to eliminate elephantiasis, also known as lymphatic filariasis, in line with the Central Government's nationwide target to eradicate the disease by 2030.

The MDA drive will be conducted in Netrang taluka of Bharuch district, Nandod and Dediapada talukas of Narmada district, and Waghai taluka of Dang district.

More than 5.48 lakh people are expected to be covered under the programme across these four talukas.

According to health officials, Gujarat has identified 17 districts in Saurashtra and South Gujarat as sensitive to filariasis.

As part of disease surveillance in areas earlier classified as non-endemic, night blood surveys were carried out in several districts and municipal corporations.

These surveys detected the presence of filarial parasites in blood samples from the four talukas, prompting their inclusion in the MDA programme.

Under the campaign, anti-filarial medicines Diethylcarbamazine (DEC) and Albendazole will be administered in person to eligible individuals to eliminate parasites from the human body.

Children below two years of age, pregnant women, critically ill individuals and lactating mothers within one week of delivery will be excluded from the drug administration.

During the three-day campaign, 649 teams of health workers will distribute medicines door-to-door across all households, as well as at 759 anganwadi centres, 742 schools and 15 colleges in the targeted areas.

To ensure complete coverage, follow-up visits will be conducted on February 13 and 14 for individuals who were missed during the initial phase.

In addition, 61 public booths will be set up to facilitate direct drug administration.

The Health Department said individual assessments will be carried out during and after the campaign by the Preventive and Social Medicine (PSM) departments of three medical colleges to evaluate the effectiveness of the programme.

"The objective is to eliminate filariasis by 2030 through sustained mass drug administration and surveillance," officials said.

Health teams, ASHA workers, anganwadi staff and school teachers have been trained for the drive. The department has urged residents of the concerned areas to cooperate fully to ensure the success of the campaign.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Good to see the surveillance working. They found parasites in areas thought to be non-endemic. Shows we can't be complacent. The 2030 target is ambitious but with such drives, maybe achievable. Kudos to the ASHA and anganwadi workers on the ground.
A
Aman W
While the intent is good, I hope there is proper awareness about potential side effects of DEC and Albendazole. Sometimes in mass drives, people are not fully informed. Health workers must ensure informed consent is taken, not just administration.
S
Sarah B
Covering over 5.48 lakh people in just 3 days is a massive logistical task. Impressive that they have 649 teams and are using schools and colleges as points. The follow-up mechanism is smart. Public health at this scale is challenging but essential.
K
Karthik V
My cousin is a health worker in Bharuch. They've been trained for this. It's not easy going door-to-door, especially in tribal areas like Dang. People sometimes have misconceptions. Hope the community leaders are involved to build trust.
N
Nisha Z
Prevention is always better than cure. These diseases affect the poorest the most, impacting their ability to work. Eliminating filariasis will have a direct positive impact on household incomes in these districts. A vital step for development.

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