Sambalpur: For Filaria Prevention Awareness, 2 vehicles driven, Asha workers and volunteers will go home and distribute medication

Sambalpur: Mass drug administration or MDA program will be held in Sambalpur district for 10 days from 10 August to 19 August for the prevention of filaria. This time, for the first time, 3 tablets will be given simultaneously. Earlier only DEC and albendazole tablets were prescribed in MDA, this time ivermectin is included. According to the health department, filaria can be controlled in 2 years if ivermectin, DEC and albendazole pills are taken together.

Ivermectin is dosed according to a person’s height, and DEC and albendazole are dosed according to age.
This information was given by the administration in a press conference held at the District Collector’s office on Tuesday. Additional District Collector Ajambar Mohantin presided over it and wished everyone’s cooperation to make Sambalpur filaria-free.

ADMO Dr. Ashok Das gave information on the dangers of filaria and the use of medicines, and 2 awareness vehicles were rolled out from the District Collector’s office on Tuesday. These 2 vehicles will go to all the blocks of the district to create awareness about taking drugs for the prevention of filaria.

This year, the health department is aiming to provide medicine to 11 lakh 14 thousand 446 people in the district. It is said that 19 teams have been formed to manage MDA and 66 Rapid Response Teams will be deployed. Last year, 70 percent of people in rural areas of Sambalpur district took medicine, while it was less than 60 percent in urban areas.

On the other hand, the Asha workers and trained volunteers will go from house to house to distribute the medicines. It is said to take the medicine after food. It has been said that pregnant women, children under 2 years of age, sick patients, and infants within one month of giving birth should not be given this pill. On the other hand, 11 thousand 790 people were tested in the Sambalpur district in 2022-23 by the health department and 159 people were found to be infected with filaria. Most of the infected are from Dhankuada and Rengali areas including SMC. On the occasion of the press conference, ADPHO Dr. Sushil Das, Hu’s advisor Dr. Shyambandhu Rath, State PCI Adviser Ajit Basanta Roy, and DPM NHM Mausumi Mishra were the chief attendees.