The Uttar Pradesh government has launched a campaign to eradicate filariasis, also known as elephantiasis, from the state by 2026. The Mass Drug Administration (MDA) campaign, which began on February 10 and will run until February 28, aims to administer anti-filarial medication to every household in several districts.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has instructed health teams not only to distribute the medication but also to educate the population about the disease and the importance of awareness in achieving the campaign’s goals.
Within the first four days of the campaign, approximately 20 percent of the target population had already consumed the medicine, thanks to effective monitoring by Chief Minister Adityanath.
In some districts, such as Amethi, Azamgarh, Ballia, and Barabanki, communities have displayed a keen interest in learning about the potential side effects of the medication and its effectiveness on an empty stomach. The health teams have assured the population that the medication is safe, with occasional symptoms like headache, body pain, and fever subsiding on their own. They have also emphasized consuming the medication after a meal to maximize its effectiveness.
While initial hesitancy was observed in areas like Lucknow, Unnao, Shahjahanpur, Bareilly, and Hamirpur, many individuals have come forward to receive the treatment after receiving information from the health teams.
Health teams are actively engaging with residents in villages, providing information about the medication and facilitating its administration. The Filaria Patient Network is also playing a crucial role in raising awareness about the importance of taking anti-filarial medication.
Dr. Ramesh Singh Thakur, the State Program Officer for Filariasis, stated that the MDA campaign aims to administer medication to a total of 360,258,91 individuals. Impressively, within just four days, around 6,614,589 people had already received the anti-filarial medicine.
Filariasis is a chronic and incurable disease that severely impacts the lymphatic system, with symptoms often appearing years after contraction. Concealing symptoms can worsen the condition, highlighting the importance of seeking timely assistance from Ayushman Arogya Mandir or government health centers to access the benefits provided by the Yogi government’s schemes.
Currently, there are 51 districts in the state grappling with filariasis, and the ongoing campaign is operational in 17 of them.
The Yogi government’s efforts to eradicate filariasis in Uttar Pradesh by 2026 align with the central government’s goal of achieving nationwide elimination by 2027. Globally, the target for eliminating this disease has been set for 2030. With the Mass Drug Administration campaign underway, Uttar Pradesh is taking significant steps in combating filariasis and improving the health and well-being of its residents.
