PINAKI MAJUMDAR
Jamshedpur, Feb 10: East Singhbhum Deputy Commissioner (DC) Ananya Mittal today launched the ‘Filaria Eradication Campaign’ at a function held at the Tata Workers Union High School in Kadma.
The campaign was launched under the National Vector Borne Diseases Control Programme (NVBDCP).
On this occasion, senior officials of the district appealed to everyone including children to take medicines by going to booths set- up by the health department.
Extensive coverage across multiple areas
The health department would also conduct door-to-door drives as a part of the campaign. Bodam, Patmada, Potka, Golmuri, Jugsalai and Jamshedpur urban areas will run the campaign from February 10 to 25.
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People will be fed anti-filaria drugs under the Mass Drug Administration. Children in schools will be given medicines after mid-day meals. Education, Panchayati Raj, Integrated Child Development, Social Welfare, Supply and other departments will cooperate with the health department during the campaign. Drugs have been made available in the blocks by the health department.
Door-to-Door drives and appeal for public participation
The DC said that under the campaign, medicines are being provided to the common people in the booth identified on February 10, while between February 11-25, health (Asha) workers will go door-to-door and feed people. He appealed to the district for widespread public participation in the eradication of filariasis.
Also addressing the children, he said that filariasis is a disease caused by mosquito bites. It is also commonly known as elephantiasis.
The medicine would not be prescribed to pregnant women, a person suffering from a serious disease or children below two years.
He also appealed to all schoolchildren to get the medicine and motivate other families, friends, neighbours including their parents to take the medicine to prevent filaria.
