Other States - Puducherry

Mass drug administration to begin on November 11

PUDUCHERRY: The Health Department on November 11 will launch the fourth phase of Mass Drug Administration (MDA) of Diethylcarbamazine Citrate (DEC) tablets to check lymphatic filariasis across the Union Territory.

The department will distribute the tablets to 9.75 lakh people, excluding children below the age of two years, pregnant women and the severely ill. The “mopping up” programme for those left out would be carried out on November 12 and 13, Assistant Director (Filaria) N. Nilamani told The Hindu.

From being an endemic region for filariasis a few years ago, Puducherry had recorded a decline in micro filarial rate and reached a low risk stage, he said. “At present, the micro filarial rate is 0.06 per cent in Puducherry. Regions that have a micro filarial rate of more than one per cent are said to be at risk. We launched the MDA programme in 2004 and the results have been good,” Mr. Nilamani said.

The dosage of tablets is as follows: children in the 2-5 age group would receive one tablet (100 mg), while those in the 6-14 age group would receive two tablets (200 mg). Persons aged 15 and above would receive three tablets (300 mg), he said.

As many as 4,000 volunteers, 400 supervisors, members of self-help groups and the public would be involved in the programme. Pamphlets containing information on age, dosage, need for the tablets, and consequences of not taking them, would be given to each household, officials said.

“The World Health Assembly aims at eliminating filariasis by 2020. Our national policy is to eliminate the disease by 2015 . Puducherry stands third in the national level for MDA programme after Goa and Dadra and Nagar Haveli,” Mr. Nilamani said.

The department would kick-start awareness campaigns on the programme through skits on television, distribution of pamphlets, messages on mini vans, banners and area-wise campaigns. “We have written to municipal councillors and asked heads of departments to cooperate. Members of SHGs, private medical college staff, anganwadi workers, health staff and the NGOs will go to the areas for dissemination of information,” he said.

The tablets could kill at least 50 per cent of the micro filaria for the first year. The productivity period of the adult worm was five years during which it releases micro filaria.

“The side effects of the tablets are either drug-based or parasite-based. The tablets have been tested for half a century and are found to be safe. The reactions include fever, dizziness and vomiting and are temporary and self-limiting. Even diabetics, those affected with hypertension, asthma and cardiac problems can take the tablets,” he assured.

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