Government to Launch Mass Drug Administration Program Against Filariasis in 17 Districts | Patna News – Times of India
Patna: In line with the Central govt’s target to eliminate filariasis from the country by the year 2027, the state govt will launch a mass drug administration (MDA) programme against the ailment in 13 districts from August 10. The programme, which will continue till September 3, aims at covering nearly 3.5 crore people by administering two doses of medicines comprising Albendazole and diethylcarbamazine citrate (DEC).
“Barring a few cases, every individual will be covered under the MDM programme and administered filariasis preventive medicines by trained health workers. The dosage of the drug will depend on an individual’s age,” said Parmeshwar Prasad, additional director and state programme officer (filariasis), at a press meet organised here on Thursday.
Prasad further said that there were no adverse or side effects of the medicine on healthy people. “If anyone experiences symptoms like nausea or dizziness after consuming the medicine, there is nothing to worry about, as it is a good a sign indicating the presence of filarial parasites in the person’s body and the same are dying due to the effect of the medicine,” he said, adding, however, rapid response teams would also be arranged at every block to address any emergency situation faced by the people after consuming the medicine.
“Individuals of eight districts, including Bhojpur, Buxur, Kishanganj, Madhepura, Madhubani, Nalanda, Nawada and Patna, will be administered two doses of the medicines. Whereas people of the remaining five districts — Darbhanga, Lakhisarai, Purnia, Rohtas and Samastipur will be given three medicines, an additional Ivermectin with the above two medicines,” said Prasad.
The experts said that the drug was safe for everybody, including those suffering from diabetes, arthritis, high blood pressure and other common disorders. Only children below two years of age, pregnant women and critically-ill patients were kept out of the programme, they added.
Dr Ravi Shankar Singh, regional director of central ministry of health and family welfare, said as per guidelines of the Union govt, coordinated efforts are being made at all levels for successful implementation of the MDA programme to eliminate filariasis from the country by 2027.
Dr Rajesh Pandey, state coordinator of the neglected tropical diseases, emphasised that the malady, which spread through mosquito bites, was one of the leading causes of long-term disability everywhere. “The person is normally infected in his childhood and if treatment is not started early, can lead to severity of the problem ,” said Pandey.
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