Puducherry : The territorial administration has formed an eight-member task force committee to monitor the implementation of Mass Drug Administration programme covering the filariasis-affected people. A release from office of Health Minister E. Valsaraj, who headed the committee, said that the other members were: Chief Secretary to Administration, Development Commissioner, Secretaries to Health, Public Works and Local Administration Departments, Director of Health and Family Welfare Services and Assistant Director of the Filariasis Wing.

The Health Department had decided to control lymphatic filariasis through comprehensive measures in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research-sponsored Vector Control Research Centre (VCRC) in Puducherry. The VCRC is providing the technical guidance and measures for prevention of the vector-borne diseases.

The Mass Drug Administration was aimed at screening the entire population in endemic areas and the affected would be given the drug therapy free of cost. The transmission of disease would be reduced substantially.

According to an action plan, the first step was to eradicate lymphatic filariasis by 2015. Persons above 15 years would be given three tablets and those in the age group of 6 to 14 years would be given two and the children in the age group of two to five years would be given one tablet a day.

The committee would identify the shortcomings, if any, in the implementation of the scheme and would suggest measures for its effective enforcement. The first meeting of the committee held here on Tuesday reviewed ongoing activities and finalised roadmap for effective implementation of the programme. Targets were also finalised area-wise.

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