In its ongoing efforts to eliminate filariasis, the Uttar Pradesh government is set to launch a comprehensive campaign across 17 districts of the state, commencing on February 10.
This campaign will continue till February 28. Under this, 72,000 health workers will administer filariasis medicine to more than 3.5 crore people of the state.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath himself has appealed to the people of the state to join this campaign. He urged all individuals to consider themselves as potentially affected by filariasis and to proactively take the medication to safeguard themselves and future generations.
He emphasized that symptoms of filariasis, a serious disease caused by Culex mosquito bites, appear within 5 to 15 years. Therefore, it is advisable for everyone to take the medicine without waiting for symptoms to ensure community well-being.
With the objective to make Uttar Pradesh free from filariasis, the Yogi government will conduct MDA round in Amethi, Azamgarh, Ballia, Banda, Barabanki, Bareilly, Hamirpur, Jaunpur, Jalaun, Lucknow, Pilibhit, Shahjahanpur, Prayagraj, Pratapgarh, Sonbhadra, Unnao and Varanasi from February 10 to 28.
In Amethi, Azamgarh, Banda, Barabanki, Bareilly, Lucknow, Pratapgarh, Prayagraj, Unnao, and Varanasi, a triple-drug combination (Ivermectin, DEC, and Albendazole) will be administered. In Ballia, Hamirpur, Jalaun, Jaunpur, Pilibhit, Shahjahanpur, and Sonbhadra, a double-drug combination (DEC and Albendazole) will be given.
Dr Ramesh Singh Thakur explained that filariasis not only affects the individual but weakens the entire family. If a breadwinner of the family is affected, and there is no additional source of income, the family gradually becomes weak.
If not paid attention to, the disease progresses through stages and can ultimately lead to complete disability. In such a condition, the person becomes susceptible to various other illnesses. Therefore, it is important to take medicine in such situations, he said.
The Chief Minister emphasized that while prevention is possible for this disease, once contracted, it becomes incurable. This can only be managed, and the government is committed to it. The Yogi government is leveraging social media extensively to ensure the success of the campaign.
Dr Ramesh Singh Thakur, the state program officer for filariasis, said here on Friday that WhatsApp groups have been formed at the block and gram panchayat levels under the guidance of the Yogi government.
Additionally, the department is promoting the campaign on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Street plays and folk songs are also being performed for this purpose.
To make the campaign successful, 36,000 teams have been formed, comprising 72,000 health workers. Seven thousand supervisors will oversee the campaign, with a target of administering medicine to 3,60,25,891 people. The medication will be administered to everyone except children under two years old, pregnant women, and those with serious illnesses.
Additionally, the health teams will go door-to-door to provide medicine to all residents, and if no one is found at home, a second visit will be made. People can also visit their nearest health centers to take the medicine.
Notably, the medicine will be available at Health and Wellness Centers, District Hospitals, Community and Primary Health Centers. The medicine will be administered to school going children in their educational institutions. Booths will also be set up in medical colleges and media institutions located in Lucknow.
– Symptoms: Hydrocele in five to fifteen years, swelling in hands, legs, and breasts.
– Remedies: Take medicine during Mass Drug Administration (MDA) rounds, stay away from dirt and mosquitoes, and wear full-sleeved clothing, use mosquito nets even during the day to protect yourself from mosquitoes.