India committed to eliminating Lymphatic Filariasis transmission: Nadda

 New Delhi, June 13 : India, as a global leader, is committed to eliminating Lymphatic Filariasis (LF)
transmission and disease burden so that future generations are free from the debilitating disease.
Asserting this, Union Health and Family Welfare Minister JP Nadda told participants during the inauguration
of the 10th meeting of Global Alliance to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis (GAELF) here on Wednesday that
significant progress towards the filariasis elimination had been made by India.
‘With the concerted efforts of the Government, state governments and development partners, 100 districts out of
total 256 endemic districts have achieved elimination target and stopped Mass Drug Administration after
successful validation by Transmission Assessment Survey (TAS) and are under post-MDA surveillance.’
He assured that ‘India will always welcome newer initiatives and research to translate into the Filariasis
elimination programme.’
Lymphatic Filariasis (LF), commonly known as Elephantiasis, is one of the oldest and most debilitating neglected disease, which is currently endemic in 73 countries of the world, including India. It is caused mainly by Wuchereria Bancrofti and spread by Culex mosquito.
The strategy to eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis in India was based on twin pillars of Mass Drug Administration
(MDA) once a year for interruption of transmission — that is, no new case and to cater to the patients already
afflicted with the disease with morbidity management. Stressing on the urgent need for total integration
of different departments for mobilising the community, he expressed confidence saying that ‘I am sure
“Accelerated Plan for Elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis 2018” released today will also expedite the last
leap for elimination of LF.”
Mr Nadda later gave away the GAELF awards to 11 countries — Cambodia, Cook Islands, Egypt, Maldives,
Marshall Islands, Niue, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Togo, Tonga and Vanuatu — for successfully interrupting the
transmission. He also released the Accelerated Plan for Elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis (LF) 2018 for India.
Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Ashwini Kumar Choubey said it was critical to enhance
awareness among the affected communities about the disease and its treatment. ‘I am sure during three
day’s deliberations, experts will come out with pragmatic approach towards elimination of LF. There is a
need to all stakeholders to work in integrated manner in order to eliminate lymphatic filariasis as public
health problem,” the minister said.
Dr Karen Cummings, Minister of Guyana, Professor Balram Bhargava, Secretary DHR & DG-ICMR, Professor
Charles Mackenzie, Chair GAELF, Dr Promila Gupta, Director General of Health Services and Dr Jonathan
King, WHO head quarters, were among those present.
The diseases mainly affects the poorest population in society, particularly those living in areas with poor
water, sanitation and hygiene. LF does not kill the affected people, but can cause permanent disfigurement,
reduced productivity and social stigma.
GAELF is an alliance of partners from 72 LF endemic national country programmes, NGOs, private sectors,
academic and research institutes and international development agencies that assists WHO’s Global Programme
to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis and was formed in year. Since then the meeting are held biennially. The second
meeting was held in 2002 in Delhi and India is again hosting the 10th meeting which recognizes that India has
highest burden of Lymphatic Filariasis and there is need of taking leadership role to Eliminate lymphatic filariasis. Participation of LF programme managers in this meeting will provide an insight of larger global programme and enable them join discussion and contribute to solutions, an official release here said.