Yogi govt targets filariasis-free UP by 2027, launches eradication drive

Lucknow, Aug 2025 : The Yogi government is working on a war footing to make the state filariasis-free by 2027. In this effort, a Mass Drug Administration (MDA) campaign was launched in 195 blocks of 27 districts in the state on Sunday. The primary objective of the drive is to eliminate lymphatic filariasis from Uttar Pradesh by 2027.

Launching the campaign on Sunday, public representatives in 27 districts consumed the medicine for filariasis. Understanding the importance of community participation, the Yogi government has planned a collaborative effort involving multiple departments. The State Rural Livelihood Mission, Education Department, Panchayati Raj Department, and Food & Civil Supplies Department are working together with the Health Department to ensure widespread public cooperation and the ultimate success of the MDA campaign.

At the launch of the MDA campaign, Dr. Pinky Jowel, Mission Director, National Health Mission, stated that continuous monitoring is being done to ensure the campaign’s success, in line with CM Yogi’s vision. The drive aims to follow national health standards and achieve its objective effectively.

Additionally, the Mission Director has also provided detailed guidelines and protocols to all the departments participating in the campaign. These guidelines have been prepared to ensure an integrated and consistent approach during the implementation of the campaign.

A key aspect of the public participation strategy is involving women from self-help groups, who will play a vital role in addressing any public concerns or doubts regarding the safety and effectiveness of the medication.

The Education Department is actively contributing to this campaign by raising awareness through various school-based activities. Teachers will play an important role in educating students about the prevention of filariasis. Teachers will brief students on filariasis prevention during daily prayer assemblies.

Additionally, the Food & Civil Supplies Department is also actively involved in disseminating important information about the campaign. The information will be strategically shared at ration shops to ensure that it reaches a large section of the population.

The Principal Secretary, Health, emphasized the campaign’s importance as a key step against filariasis. He said that the success of the campaign depends on broad public participation and cooperation.

Filariasis is a disease that spreads through the bite of an infected Culex mosquito, producing symptoms like swelling and milky urine that may appear even after 10–15 years after the mosquito bite. Although filariasis is currently incurable, annual medication given for five years can effectively prevent the onset of the disease.

The MDA campaign will run in districts including Auraiya, Bahraich, Balrampur, Basti, Chandauli, Deoria, Etawah, Farrukhabad, Fatehpur, Ghazipur, Gonda, Gorakhpur, Hardoi, Kannauj, Kanpur Dehat, Kanpur Nagar, Kaushambi, Lakhimpur Kheri, Kushinagar, Maharajganj, Mirzapur, Sant Kabir Nagar, Siddharthnagar, Sitapur, Shravasti, Raebareli, and Sultanpur.

To successfully conduct the drive, over 35,483 drug administrators (DAs) and 7,096 supervisors have been deployed on the ground. Information and communication technology equipment has been sent to 195 blocks and Ayushman Arogya Mandirs.

Detailed micro-plans have been prepared to ensure readiness after meetings with 195 Block Task Forces and review of preparations. A total of 390 rapid response teams has been kept on stand-by to deal with any adverse drug effects. The aim of this extensive implementation is to protect a large section of the population from the threat of filariasis.