Mass drug campaign to eliminate filariasis commences in Regions Three, Four

The mass drug administration (MDA) for 2025 to combat Lymphatic Filariasis (LF) was launched on Friday with Regions Three and Four as the targeted areas.

These are the two remaining regions where massive focus is still needed. Through a collaboration with the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO), hundreds of persons were trained and are now prepared to distribute the tablets to citizens.

This vector borne disease is transmitted to humans by mosquitos that carry the filarial parasites. Infection is usually acquired during childhood and causes hidden damage to the lymphatic system, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

The three drugs used to treat LF are Ivermectin, Diethylcarbamazine (DEC), and Albendazole, which are administered together in a triple-drug treatment. This combination, commonly referred to as IDA, is a key component of the country’s MDA campaign.

Health Minister Dr. Frank Anthony on Friday, when the programme was launched at the National Culture Centre, said awareness of the disease and treatment must be encouraged.

“You don’t know whether you’re a host to these worms because they take quite a long time to develop and for you to see complications,” Dr Anthony said.

He said in many instances, persons are infected but don’t get treated until the disease has progressed but the tablets that will be distributed will prevent the disease. This disease has caused many to undergo amputation of limbs and become susceptible to social stigma.

Regional Health Officer for Region Four, Dr Gavinash Persaud said the objectives here are strategic.

“We’re going to have in excess of 600 persons out there who are going to be delivering the pills and that’s the most important aspect of our mission,” Dr. Persaud said.

These persons were trained in August and will now go into communities across the two regions. Importantly, these are the only remaining regions that have not had massive uptake of the pills and meet the elimination requirement.

Dr. Sheik Hassan Sukdeo, the Medical Superintendent West Demerara Regional Hospital, said this is a joint venture to combat the disease.

“To eradicate the disease requires a united force not just among healthcare staff and healthcare departments, but importantly, the public understanding and their participation of this movement,” Dr. Sukdeo said.