Finance
The Odisha government initiated a 10-day mass medicine administration program on Thursday with the goal of eradicating lymphatic filariasis. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has invited all eligible residents of the state to participate in the program, which will take place in 11 districts from August 10 to August 19.
On Thursday, the official commencement of the three-drug therapy took place in the districts of Angul, Bargarh, Jharsuguda, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Sonepur, Sundargarh, Jajpur, Ganjam, Dhenkanal, and Sambalpur. Health authorities will administer a combination of three drugs – ivermectin, DEC, and albendazole – to all residents in these districts.
Odisha Minister for Health and Family Welfare Niranjan Pujari launched the program in a virtual mode on Thursday, emphasizing the need of ensuring that all eligible persons receive anti-filarial drugs as the campaign aims to totally eradicate lymphatic filariasis from the state.
A crew of skilled drug administrators is now distributing the three medications via various channels such as booths, educational institutions, and door-to-door visits. To ensure effective distribution, the beneficiaries are forced to consume the drugs in the presence of these administrators.
A total of 65,646 skilled drug administrators, including ASHAs, are ensuring the successful consumption of medications by 1.8 crore people across 11 districts in Odisha.
The three-drug therapy, according to Dr. Niranjan Mishra, Director of Public Health, is safe for all recipients, barring children under the age of two years, pregnant women, and people suffering from serious ailments.
Source:OCN
