India is committed to eliminating Lymphatic Filariasis by 2027, three years ahead of the global target through mission mode, multi partner, multi sector & targeted drive.

Learning from the wide experience of the country in elimination of other diseases, the government has come up with a renewed five-pronged strategy for elimination of LF. The five pillars are as follows:

• Multi-drug administration (MDA) Campaign twice a year synchronized with National Deworming Day (10th Feb and 10th August)
• Early diagnosis and treatment; engagement of medical colleges for strengthening Morbidity management and disability (MMDP) services
• Integrated Vector Control with multi sectoral coordinated efforts
• Inter sectoral convergence with allied departments and ministries
• Leveraging existing digital platforms for LF and exploring alternate diagnostics

India has demonstrated to the world that we can be Polio free through Jan-Bhagidari. LF elimination calls for the same approach where various Ministries, Departments across the Centre and States, NGOs, private sector through CSR, faith leaders, community influencers etc., come together in a spirit of Sewa and Sahyog”. There is a need to have our own “India Model” based on identification of our priorities and leveraging our strengths to efficiently implement our plans.

There is a need to focus on India’s philosophy of Antyodaya.

LF affects specific geographies and mostly poor and downtrodden section of our society. Morbidity backlog needs to be cleared as soon as possible and innovative practices must reach remotest parts of the country through special camps, private sector and development partners involvement for effective mitigation.  There is a need for concurrent research through which local evidence-based decision making can take place and mass visibility campaigns at the national, state, district, sub-district and block levels.

Fact –

Four States (UP, Odisha, Telangana, and Bihar) account for ~60% Lymphedema cases, while four States (Odisha, Jharkhand, UP and Bihar,) account for ~80% Hydrocele cases.

Source: PIB