AIIMS Bhubaneswar Sets Example In Mass Drug Administration, Opens Dedicated Corner In OPD Foyer

Bhubaneswar: To continue the momentum on, the Mass Drug Administration (MDA) was executed at AIIMS Bhubaneswar campus on Wednesday in association with the District Health Administration of Khurda.

To begin with, AIIMS Bhubaneswar Executive Director Dr Ashutosh Biswas set an example for all by consuming the DEC and Albendazole tablets in the presence of Khurda CDMO and other senior officials.

After initiating the process, Dr Biswas urged all to complete their doses for eliminating the Lymphatic Filariasis, a press release said.

Under the National Centre for Vector Born Disease Control, an annual dose of DEC and Albendazole is administered through mass drug administration (MDA) in all 256 endemic districts in India. Out of 256 Filaria prone districts, Odisha has 20 endemic districts including Khurda, said Dr Biswas.

AIIMS Bhubaneswar has set up a dedicated MDA Corner in OPD foyer for free distribution of DEC & Albendazole tablets to patients and their relatives. Faculties, students, staffs and families residing in the premises of AIIMS Bhubaneswar are also being distributed the drugs by a dedicated health team. Today, more than 544 persons consumed the drugs at AIIMS Bhubaneswar.

Among others DEAN (Academic) Dr P R Mohapatra, DEAN (Research) Dr Binod Patra, faculty from CMFM Department Dr Binod Behera took part in the MDA process and consumed the drug. The programme witnessed the presence of Khurda CDMO Dr Aratabandhu Nayak, DMO Dr Jeebanta Kumar Achari, VBDTS Deepak Kumar Nayak, Susmita Samantaray, District Officer PCI Jobkimson Pradhan.

It may be noted here that Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare had launched the National Programme to eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis in 2004. However, MDA is contraindicated for pregnant women, children below two years and seriously ill patients.

In a recent meeting, Union Health Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya has set a goal to eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis by 2027, three years ahead of Global target.