LUCKNOW — The Yogi government is working on a war footing to make Uttar Pradesh filariasis-free by 2027. As part of this effort, a comprehensive Mass Drug Administration (MDA) campaign for the elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis began on Sunday across 195 blocks in 27 districts of the state. Public representatives and Chief Medical Officers (CMOs) officially kicked off the campaign by taking the medicine themselves.
Recognizing the importance of community participation, the government has planned a collaborative effort involving multiple departments. The State Rural Livelihood Mission, Education Department, Panchayati Raj Department, and Food and Civil Supplies Department are working alongside the Health Department to ensure widespread public cooperation and the ultimate success of the MDA campaign.
Women’s Self-Help Groups on the Frontlines
According to Dr. Pinky Jowel, Mission Director of the National Health Mission, the campaign is being continuously monitored to ensure it adheres to national health standards. A key aspect of the public engagement strategy is the involvement of women from self-help groups (SHGs), who will play a crucial role in addressing any public concerns or anxieties about the safety and efficacy of the medication.
Awareness and Prevention Through Education
The Education Department is actively contributing by raising awareness through various school-based activities. Teachers will educate students on the importance of preventing filariasis, incorporating this vital information into daily routines and morning assemblies. This approach aims to encourage parental participation and support for the MDA campaign. Similarly, the Food and Civil Supplies Department will disseminate critical information about the campaign at ration shops, ensuring it reaches a large segment of the population.
The Fight Against a Silent Disease
The Principal Secretary has highlighted the campaign’s importance as a crucial preventive measure against the debilitating effects of filariasis. He emphasized that the success of the campaign relies on broad public participation and cooperation. Filariasis, a disease spread by the bite of infected Culex mosquitoes, often shows symptoms like swelling and milky urine only after a long time, typically 10-15 years. While the disease is currently incurable, taking the annual dose of medicine for five years can effectively prevent its onset.
Massive Deployment and Preparedness
The MDA campaign is being implemented in the following 27 districts: Auraiya, Bahraich, Balrampur, Basti, Chandauli, Deoria, Etawah, Farrukhabad, Fatehpur, Ghazipur, Gonda, Gorakhpur, Hardoi, Kannauj, Kanpur Dehat, Kanpur Nagar, Kaushambi, Lakhimpur Kheri, Kushinagar, Maharajganj, Mirzapur, Sant Kabir Nagar, Siddharthnagar, Sitapur, Shravasti, Rae Bareli, and Sultanpur.
To ensure its smooth operation, over 35,000 drug administrators and more than 7,000 supervisors have been deployed. Detailed micro-plans have been created, and 390 rapid response teams are on standby to handle any severe adverse drug effects. This comprehensive implementation plan is designed to protect a large portion of the population from the threat of filariasis.
