The MDA campaign will cover 111 endemic districts across 13 states—Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal

Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Jagat Prakash Nadda launched the Annual Nationwide Mass Drug Administration (MDA) Campaign for Lymphatic Filariasis (LF) Elimination through a video conference with state health ministers and senior officers of 13 identified LF endemic States.

The participants were provided an overview of the campaign, its objectives, the key strategic activities being undertaken, and the critical role of participating states in ensuring high coverage and compliance with the MDA programme.

The campaign covers 111 endemic districts across 13 States with door-to-door administration of filaria prevention medications.

The State Health Ministers who participated in the meeting included Satya Kumar Yadav (Andhra Pradesh), Ashok Singhal (Assam),  Shyam Bihari Jaiswal (Chhattisgarh), Rushikesh Ganeshbhai Patel (Gujarat), Irfan Ansari (Jharkhand), Dinesh Gundu Rao (Karnataka), Rajendra Shukla (Madhya Pradesh), Mukesh Mahaling (Odisha), Mangal Pandey (Bihar), Prakashrao Abitkar (Maharashtra) and Brijesh Pathak (Uttar Pradesh).

The MDA campaign is a core component of India’s LF elimination strategy, led by the National Center for Vector Borne Diseases Control (NCVBDC) under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. The programme focuses on the door-to-door administration of anti-filarial medication, ensuring that every eligible individual consumes the prescribed medicine to stop the transmission of the disease.

LF, commonly known as "Hathi Paon," is a parasitic disease transmitted by infected mosquitoes. It can lead to physical disabilities such as lymphoedema (swelling of the limbs) and hydrocele (scrotal swelling) and impose long-term burdens on affected individuals and families.

Speaking at the event, the Union Health Minister emphasised, “An LF-free India is our commitment, and achieving this goal requires the participation of every citizen and with active community involvement. With a shared sense of responsibility, we can eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis, ensuring protection for crores."

He stated that from February 10 onward, these medicines will be made available free of cost to a population of over 17.5 crore across endemic districts. Residents in these areas must consume the medicines, to protect themselves and their families from this debilitating disease.

Highlighting the importance of achieving high coverage, he underlined, “The endemic districts must ensure that over 90 per cent of the eligible population consume anti-filaria medicines. Our collective commitment and determination will help transform lives and ensure a future free from Lymphatic Filariasis.”

The MDA campaign will cover 111 endemic districts across 13 states—Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal. This campaign reaffirms the government's unwavering commitment to eliminating Lymphatic Filariasis through comprehensive prevention strategies, enhanced awareness, and ensuring widespread compliance with MDA.

The Mass Drug Administration (MDA) campaign involves the supervised administration of a combination of anti-filarial medicines to all eligible individuals in LF-endemic areas, regardless of whether they show symptoms. The medication regimen includes:

• Double Drug Regimen (DA): Diethylcarbamazine Citrate (DEC) and Albendazole
• Triple Drug Regimen (IDA): Ivermectin, Diethylcarbamazine Citrate (DEC), and Albendazole

The goal of MDA is to reduce the spread of LF by eliminating the microscopic filarial parasites present in the bloodstream of infected individuals, thus preventing further transmission by mosquitoes. While the MDA medication is extremely safe and effective, it should not be consumed on an empty stomach. The following groups should not consume the drugs:

- Children below 2 years of age

- Pregnant women

- Seriously ill individuals