Mass Drug Administration (MDA) program has commenced across 11 districts of Odisha

Bhubaneswar: 10/8/23:The Mass Drug Administration (MDA) program has commenced across 11 districts of Odisha. Health Minister Niranjan Pujari today inaugurated the campaign virtually.

During the event, Odisha Health Minister Niranjan Pujari emphasized the importance of ensuring that every beneficiary receives anti-filarial medicines to achieve the goal of eliminating Lymphatic Filariasis. He stressed the need for thorough monitoring of the campaign from the state level down to the last mile. He urged for inter-sectoral collaborative efforts at every level to ensure drug consumption by every eligible citizen of select 11 districts namely Angul, Bargarh, Jharsuguda, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Sonepur, Sundergarh, Jajpur, Ganjam, Dhenkanal, and Sambalpur where MDA will use triple drug therapy (Ivermectin + DEC + Albendazole) for the very first time in the state.

These medicines will be administered by trained drug administrators through booths, door-to-door visits, and visits to schools, colleges and offices. Importantly, these medicines will not be distributed under any circumstances and to be consumed in front of drug administrators.

Pujari also revealed that during this campaign around 65,646 trained drug administrators including ASHAs will visit every household in 11 districts to ensure drug consumption to a 1.8 crore population. To supervise the MDA around 6,431 supervisors are also deployed to ensure the quality of the program. He also encouraged district collectors to lead by example and consume these drugs themselves, fostering a positive environment for Mass Drug Administration within their respective districts.

Filariasis is a major public health challenge transmitted through infected mosquito bites, a leading cause of long-term disability worldwide, primarily acquired in childhood but manifesting in adulthood. This condition affects the lymphatic system, leading to abnormal swelling of body parts, acute attacks, and irreversible disabilities. Individuals with Filariasis often endure complications such as Hydrocele, lymphedema, and Chyluria.

To break the chain of transmission, Mass Drug Administration plays a pivotal role in addressing this disabling disease, with anti-filarial drugs (Ivermectin, DEC, and Albendazole) administered by trained drug administrators. These medicines are safe and should be consumed by all populations except children less than 2 years of age, pregnant women, and seriously ill individuals.