SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, Sept 15: Jharkhand health department is launching a special drive-Mass Drug Administration (MDA) from tomorrow (September 16 to September 30) in eight districts including Ranchi to eliminate ‘lymphatic filariasis’ in the state.
Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) of Health Arun Kumar Singh said that the state government is committed to eliminating the vector-borne diseases. So, MDA is being launched to provide a shield to targeted people in affected districts.
The health department has identified eight districts of the state including Ranchi, Lohardagga, East Singhbhum, West Singhbhum, Khunti, Hazaribagh, Giridih and Garhwa as the most filarial-affected areas and has launched a special MDA to protect them.
The ACS informed that as per the plan, 52,37,859 people in these districts have been targeted to cover during the special campaign. To ensure 100% coverage of targeted people, a total of 20,951 trained health workers have been pressed in to administer the anti-filarial drugs DEC, albendazole dose.
“On the first day, the drugs would be administered at community health centres, primary health centres, additional health centres, all Anganwadi centres, ward offices, schools, colleges and technical institutions. Thereafter the health staff would visit house to house for covering the targeted people in their respective areas,” said ACS health.
The health department has also issued guidelines for the campaigns to follow Covid-19 protocol while administrating the drugs. Rapid Response Teams have also been set up in all eight districts to take quick action in emergencies if any person feels any type of complication after the administration of drugs.
ACS health said that the state has taken it as a challenge to eliminate it. The joint efforts of health staff have helped in reducing Kala Azar and filarial cases.
As per the 2020- 2021 survey reports of the health department, 43,985 lymphatic and 44620 hydrocele cases were found in the state.
