Public participation is very important for the eradication of filariasis. Work together in mission mode to free the state from this disease. This statement by the Madhya Pradesh State Health Minister Prabhuram Chaudhary was made during the launch of an annual Mass Drug Administration (MDA) at Bhopal on Wednesday.

Through this call-to-action, the Health Minister prioritized the need for community engagement for MDA in the state. An audio-visual campaign featuring popular film and television actor Manoj Bajpayee was also launched at the event. Chowdhary underscored that Filariasis elimination is key to reducing poverty, removing inequality, strengthening health systems and creating a healthier society.

“We can achieve the goal of a healthy Madhya Pradesh,” he said, adding, “Our government is constantly striving to achieve important health and development goals. The 8 districts going in for MDA are Katni, Umaria, Tikamgarh, Niwani, Datia (with 2 drugs DEC, Albandazole) and in Panna, Rewa and Chhatarpur (3 drugs DEC, Albandazole and Ivermectin) to protect against filariasis or elephantiasis, between February 10 to 2022.”

The Health Minister also directed concerned officials that newly launched communications campaign featuring Manoj Bajpayee must be disseminated across all possible platforms to communities through inter-departmental coordination. “It should be disseminated so that important information related to these diseases can reach the public,” he said.

Commissioner and Secretary, Department of Public Health and Family Welfare, Government of Madhya Pradesh, Sudam Pandhari Nath Khade, said at the event that for the successful MDA implementation, training should be ensured at the block level and micro plans shared with district officials so that all the activities under the program could be rolled out smoothly.

“Along with this, availability of anti-filarial drugs as well as proper administration to the targeted beneficiaries must be ensured. During the Vikas Yatra from February 5 to 25, IEC materials related on Filariasis will be distributed during the yatra. People should be shown and told through mobile chariots so that awareness about this disease increases.

Call centres and control rooms should be set up to deal with any unavoidable situation during the program,” he added.

Mission Director  Priyanka Das highlighted that while there were no shortages of medicines for the upcoming MDA round but the challenge was to ensure the consumption of drugs by community members.

“To overcome this challenge, this time we have prepared the medicines for the people one week before the programme. With the communication campaign and other publicity materials available, we have begun sensitizing communities and raising awareness about the disease and the urgency behind MDA uptake to. We must ensure the consumption of anti-filarial drugs in front of trained drug administrators.

The state government has completed efforts to make inter-departmental coordination work during this program.

Tireless efforts are underway to ensure maintenance of low case burdens in the four districts in the state that are at the final stage of elimination. Similarly, the other eight districts will also be able to eliminate this disease.”

State Program Officer, Vector Borne Disease Control Program, Dr Himanshu Jayswar reminded those present that Filariasis spreads through the bite of a mosquito. “According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Filariasis is one of the leading causes of long-term disability worldwide.

This infection, which can occur at any age, damages the lymphatic system and, if not prevented, can cause abnormal swelling in various parts of our bodies.