Lucknow | A renewed call for widespread public awareness on filaria prevention echoed at the Chief Medical Officer Office (CMO) , as the district health administration prepared for the Mass Drug Administration (MDA) campaign beginning February 10.
Addressing members of the District Core Group during a review meeting, Additional Chief Medical Officer (ACMO) Dr. D.K. Srivastava urged all stakeholders to use every available platform—public gatherings, community meetings, and institutional forums—to spread crucial information about the prevention of this debilitating disease.
“We must collectively ensure that accurate information on filaria reaches every household. Every stakeholder must become a messenger of awareness so that people understand both the seriousness of the disease and the simplicity of its prevention,” Dr. Srivastava said, emphasizing that widespread engagement is the backbone of the district’s elimination strategy.
District Core Group Launched; Declaration Released
During the meeting, officials formally released the declaration document and announced the commencement of the District Core Group (DCG), which will coordinate all efforts under the filaria elimination programme.
Dr. Srivastava informed that in eight blocks of the district, Patient Stakeholder Platforms (PSPs) have been formed at 30 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, led by Community Health Officers (CHOs). Each PSP comprises ANMs, gram pradhans, ASHA workers, filaria patients, Anganwadi workers, ration dealers, and members of Self-Help Groups—making it a comprehensive community-driven body.
From these PSPs, two active members each have been selected to form the District Core Group, which will support coordination, outreach, and monitoring at the district level.
Community Participation Key to Success
District Malaria Officer Sujata Thakur stressed that community involvement remains the strongest weapon in the fight against filaria.
“The goal of eliminating filaria cannot be achieved without participation from the community. Everyone has a role to play in breaking the chain of transmission,” she said.
She also highlighted vital information about the disease:
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Filaria, although incurable in advanced stages, can be managed and prevented effectively.
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Early detection and prompt treatment can help avoid complications.
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Taking the prescribed medication once a year for five consecutive years under the MDA programme significantly reduces the risk of infection.
Thakur appealed to citizens to cooperate fully with health teams during the upcoming drive and to adopt preventive habits to protect themselves and their families.
A Collective Push Toward Filaria-Free Lucknow
Officials reiterated that the upcoming MDA campaign will require coordinated efforts from health workers, local bodies, village-level stakeholders, and civil society groups.
The District Core Group will monitor awareness activities, support mobilisation in rural and urban clusters, and ensure that the administration’s message on prevention reaches the last mile.
As preparations intensify, the health department hopes that unified community engagement will help Lucknow take a decisive step toward eliminating filaria and ensuring a healthier future for all.
