The Hindu : National : Call to eradicate filariasis

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Nov 16, 2007
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National

Call to eradicate filariasis

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: The Union Health and Family Welfare Ministry observed Thursday as the Mass Drug Administration for the Elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis (ELF) day to protect millions of people from lymphatic filariasis.

India has the world’s largest number of filariasis cases with as close to 500 million people living at the risk of contracting filariasis, and the disease prevalent in 20 States and Union Territories.

Emphasising the need to take up this programme on a mission mode, Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Anbumani Ramadoss said filariasis was identified as one of the diseases to be eliminated globally by 2020 as envisaged by the World Health Organisation.

The strategy adopted for elimination of lymphatic filariasis is through annual Mass Drug Administration ) of a single dose of DEC (diethylcarbamizine citrate) tablets for 5 years or more to the eligible population (except pregnant women, children below 2 years and seriously ill people) to interrupt transmission of the disease, and home-based management of lymphoedema cases and up-scaling of hydrocele operations in identified community health centres, hospitals and medical colleges.

Dr. Ramadoss emphasised the need for generating mass awareness about the disease and encouraging people to come forward for corrective surgeries.

He said the MDA programme from next year should include drugs for anaemia also. The Minister stressed the importance of GIS mapping of the diseases such as kala azar, chikungunya, dengue and filaria for focussed attention.

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