Triple-Drug Therapy (IDA) Campaign Accelerated to Eliminate Elephantiasis – Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis

Mumbai, March 2026: To eliminate elephantiasis (lymphatic filariasis) across Maharashtra and the country, the “Triple-Drug Therapy” (IDA) campaign—comprising Ivermectin, DEC (Diethylcarbamazine), and Albendazole—is being intensified. The central government has set a target to completely eradicate filariasis from India by 2027. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis highlighted the active participation of the state government in this campaign.

The Chief Minister stated that the initiative was started by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to implement effective measures against neglected diseases such as filariasis. Maharashtra had, in 2017, requested the central government to prioritize these medicines, especially in Vidarbha districts. This has significantly reduced the suffering of people in tribal and rural areas of Vidarbha. The Maharashtra government is also fully cooperating in this initiative, contributing to the Prime Minister’s vision of a filariasis-free India.

Chief Minister Fadnavis further said that through the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, large-scale Mass Drug Administration (MDA) campaigns are being conducted in 12 states, including Maharashtra. Eligible citizens receive preventive medication every year, helping curb the spread of the disease. In select districts of Maharashtra, instead of the traditional two-drug regimen, the more effective Triple-Drug Therapy (IDA) is being used, which helps control the disease in a shorter period.

Vidarbha has a high prevalence of elephantiasis, and special campaigns are being conducted in districts like Gadchiroli, Bhandara, and Chandrapur. The state aims to provide these medicines to approximately 5.5 million citizens.

Experts say that the IDA treatment is more effective in reducing microfilariae (parasites), which allows for quicker interruption of disease transmission. Citizens are urged to take these medications under health worker supervision and not believe rumors. It has been emphasized that filariasis cannot be eradicated without active community participation.

In Maharashtra, the disease is prevalent in 18 districts: Nagpur, Chandrapur, Bhandara, Wardha, Gadchiroli, Amravati, Akola, Latur, Dharashiv, Solapur, Jalgaon, Sindhudurg, Nanded, Thane, Palghar, Nandurbar, Solapur, and Yavatmal. According to the latest February 2026 report, around 75% of filariasis cases in the state are concentrated in the Nagpur division alone.

Top five most affected districts: Bhandara, Chandrapur, Nagpur, Gadchiroli, and Gondia.

IDA Triple-Drug Policy Success: In rural Nagpur, this campaign has reduced the microfilariae (MF) rate from 4.91% in 2014 to below 1% by 2024.