Mass drug administration against lymphatic filariasis in 15 districts from today

Mass drug administration against lymphatic filariasis, commonly known as elephantiasis, is commencing in 15 districts from today.

The Ministry of Health and Population is conducting the mass drug administration programme in Jhapa, Morang, Dhanusha, Mahottari, Rautahat, Sarlahi, Bara, Rasuwa, Lamjung, Parbat, Baglung, Kapilvastu, Banke, Dang and Kailali districts. The programme will run until March 9.

Director-General of the Department of Health Services, Dr Deependra Raman Singh, said that the drug would be administered at the booths to be set up at the Ward Office of local level, the health facilities, community building, school and religious places.

All the people above two years of age would be given a single dose of Albendazole plus Diethylcarbamazine (DEC) which destroys the lymphatic filariasis parasites in the body and prevents the disease. This disease is transmitted by mosquitoes.

The government will provide the drugs free of cost. The mass drug administration programme is launched with the aim of eliminating this disease by 2030.