Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Jagat Prakash Nadda on Monday launched the Annual Nationwide Mass Drug Administration (MDA) Campaign for the elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis (LF) through a video conference with State Health Ministers from 13 identified LF-endemic states. The event outlined the objectives of the campaign, key strategic activities, and the critical role of participating states in ensuring high coverage and compliance with the MDA program.
The MDA campaign, which targets 111 endemic districts across 13 states, involves a door-to-door administration of filaria prevention medications. The states that participated in the event included Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Bihar, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh, with each health minister emphasizing the importance of the campaign in their respective regions.
Lymphatic filariasis, commonly known as elephantiasis, is a painful and disfiguring disease. It is caused by infection with parasites classified as nematodes (roundworms) of the family Filariodidea that are transmitted through the bites of infected mosquitos.
Speaking at the launch, Nadda stressed the government’s commitment to eliminating LF, emphasizing the necessity of active community involvement and participation in the campaign. He stated, “An LF-free India is our commitment, and achieving this goal requires the participation of every citizen. With active community involvement, we can eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis and ensure protection for crores.”
Highlighting the importance of the campaign, Nadda said that LF, commonly referred to as “Hathi Paon,” is a debilitating disease that can cause severe physical disabilities, such as swelling of the limbs and scrotal swelling, which places a significant burden on affected individuals and families. The MDA campaign, led by the National Center for Vector Borne Diseases Control (NCVBDC), is designed to address this issue by providing free anti-filarial medications to over 17.5 crore people across the endemic regions.
The Union Minister emphasized that the MDA campaign, conducted twice a year, must ensure that at least 90% of the eligible population consumes the prescribed medication to halt the transmission of the disease. He urged the states to actively monitor the campaign and ensure that no one is left out. “From February 10 onwards, these medicines will be made available free of cost, and it is imperative that residents in these areas consume the medicines to protect themselves and their families,” he said.
Nadda also emphasized the importance of a “whole-of-government” approach, engaging various ministries and departments to support the campaign’s activities. He praised the use of digital technologies by states such as Uttar Pradesh and Odisha in enhancing awareness and extending the reach of the campaign.
He stressed the role of political leadership at the state and district levels to mobilize communities and ensure effective implementation. Nadda urged State Health Ministers to involve elected representatives, including Members of Parliament, Legislative Assemblies, and Panchayati Raj Institutions, to garner widespread participation and awareness.
He also mentioned that approximately 50% of lymphoedema cases receive MMDP kits annually and that surgeries for hydrocele (a common complication of LF) are available under the National Health Mission (NHM) and the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY).
The MDA campaign aims to eliminate LF by reducing the spread of the disease, primarily through the administration of a combination of anti-filarial medicines. The regimen includes either a Double Drug (DA) treatment of Diethylcarbamazine Citrate (DEC) and Albendazole or a Triple Drug (IDA) treatment of Ivermectin, DEC, and Albendazole. These medications help eliminate the microscopic filarial parasites from the bloodstream, preventing further transmission through mosquitoes.
