A nationwide Mass Drug Administration (MDA) campaign led by Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan was launched on Friday with the goal of eradicating the spread of lymphatic filariasis by distributing anti- filarial medications door-to-door, particularly in the ten states with the highest filaria prevalence.

The high-burden districts in Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Karnataka, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, and Andhra Pradesh launched the campaign on Friday.

The unveiling occurred a month after Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya advocated for eradicating filariasis by 2027, three years ahead of the worldwide deadline.

India has intensified efforts to eradicate lymphatic filariasis, a disease transmitted by the Culex mosquito that results in disability, to protect communities from disability, social unrest, and economic insecurity.

Mr. Bhushan said that to combat the disease; everyone must work together to launch the campaign. He urged all the states to prioritize Directly Observed Therapy over drug distribution and emphasized the need to concentrate on block-level rigorous monitoring, daily coverage analysis, and monitoring reports at all levels.

He further said that the timing for Indias initiative to end filaria by 2027 is perfect as it coincides with the Sustainable Development Goals, which seek to end all forms of hunger, incapacity, and disease.

(Source: https://health.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/policy/mass-drug-administration-campaign-launched-to-eliminate-lymphatic-filariasis/97816656