Phulbani: The Annual Nationwide Mass Drug Administration (MDA) Campaign for Lymphatic Filariasis (LF) Elimination was launched in Phulbani with Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda inaugurating the program via video conference. Odisha Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling was present on the occasion at the Gandhi Smruiti Bhavan in Phulbani.
Minister Mahaling took a dose of the anti-filaria drug and administered it to children, marking the launch of the program. He urged all above two years to consume the medication. G Udyogiri MLA requested Minister Mahaling to appoint special doctors in every block of Kandhamal district, citing medical issues in the remote area.
The MDA campaign aims to eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis, a parasitic disease transmitted by infected mosquitoes, by administering anti-filarial medication door-to-door. The program is a core component of India’s LF elimination strategy, led by the National Center for Vector Borne Diseases Control (NCVBDC) under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.
The campaign will cover 111 endemic districts across 13 states, targeting over 17.5 crore population. The Union Health Minister emphasized the importance of achieving high coverage, stressing that at least 90% of the eligible population must consume the anti-filarial medicines.
Union Minister Nadda launched the MDA Campaign for Lymphatic Filariasis (LF) Elimination in 13 identified LF endemic States including Odisha.
