Latest update December 4th, 2024 2:40 AM
Mass Drug Administration to eradicate filaria by 2027
The Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) has amplified its efforts to eradicate filaria by the year 2027.
In collaboration with the Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO), and the World Health Organization (WHO), MOPH launched the annual mass drug administration at Square of the Revolution on Friday, a campaign that is expected to prevent hydrocele and elephantiasis amongst Guyana’s populace.
The campaign aims to eradicate the spread of the filarial parasite by the year 2027 by administering the DEC and albendazole tablets targeting students and workers in Regions Three, Four, Five and Ten.
Dr. Quincy Jones, Region Four Health Officer, delivering the feature address in place of the Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence, explained that lymphatic filariasis is an endemic that affects patients economically and socially.
He added that the disease often carries a stigma with it. Jones related how disheartening it can be to see these patients being held prisoners to this disease.
Officials distributing filaria pills to members of the public
“ Consequently, I am pleased to be a part of today’s activity which signals that this neglected tropical disease is of high priority on our national public health agenda as we will not allow lymphatic filariasis and its associated ills to perpetuate within Guyana.”
He added, “The social and economic benefit that we have on the elimination of lymphatic filariasis, far outweighs the cost”.
Jones explained that the implementation of the mass drug administration campaign has seen much progression over the years.
He said, “I have marveled at the fluidity at which, both those at the helm of the programme, and those grass root implementers, adapt best practices and lessons learnt not only from the past year’s success but from the previous day of pill distribution to ensure that no pill is left behind…”
Whilst the mass drug administration campaign is to be done in only four of the administrative regions, situations are currently being reassessed in the remaining regions to determine whether the campaign’s reach needs to be extended.
Guyana received 86% coverage in last year’s campaign.
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