Bihar Government Launches Intensive 18-Day Mass Drug Administration Campaign to Eliminate Filariasis
The Bihar state government has announced a comprehensive 18-day intensive mass drug administration (MDA) campaign scheduled to run from February 10 to February 27, 2024. This ambitious public health initiative aims to completely eliminate filariasis from the state by breaking the chain of transmission through widespread preventive medicine distribution.
Campaign Launch and Government Commitment
State Health Minister Mangal Pandey officially announced the campaign launch at a health department function, emphasizing that filariasis elimination represents the government's top health priority. Minister Pandey made a heartfelt appeal to citizens, urging them to participate actively by taking the preventive medicine alongside their family members. He also called upon public representatives to come forward and provide substantial support to ensure the campaign's success across all regions of Bihar.
Massive Single-Day Push and Ambitious Targets
The campaign will feature a particularly intensive push on February 11, when health authorities expect to administer filariasis-prevention medicine to approximately 1.5 crore people in a single day. This represents one of the largest single-day public health interventions in the state's history. The government has established an ambitious target of achieving over 90% medicine consumption through directly observed treatment (DOT), ensuring that tablets are consumed in the presence of trained health workers rather than merely being distributed.
Comprehensive Implementation Strategy
To execute this massive public health campaign effectively, the state government is deploying an extensive network of resources including:
- Approximately 4 lakh trained frontline health workers
- More than 40,000 designated administration booths
- Operations across all 397 blocks in Bihar
- Multiple administration channels including booth-based services and door-to-door visits
The campaign will adopt a focused, war-mode approach with health facilities remaining on high alert throughout the implementation period. Special outreach efforts will target Anganwadi centres, Jeevika didis, self-help groups, and their family members to leverage community networks for wider participation.
Safety Protocols and Multi-Department Coordination
Stringent safety protocols have been established for the campaign, with both mobile and stationary Rapid Response Teams remaining active to promptly manage any adverse drug reactions. The medicine will be provided according to government guidelines, with beneficiaries required to consume it immediately under health worker supervision.
The campaign represents a coordinated effort involving multiple government departments including health, panchayati raj, ICDS, Jeevika, and others, demonstrating a whole-of-government approach to public health challenges. This comprehensive strategy aims to reach maximum households and public locations quickly and safely, bringing Bihar closer to its goal of becoming filariasis-free by 2027.
