Bastar – Towards a filaria-free Bastar, a major campaign will begin from February 10th.

Bastar. The district administration has decided to launch a major campaign to make the district free from filariasis. Mass drug administration will be conducted in three development blocks from February 10th to 25th. Preparations have been made to transform the campaign into a public movement. Several departments, in addition to the health department, have been assigned responsibilities.

In the first phase, medicines will be distributed through booths set up in schools, Anganwadi centers, and colleges. In the second phase, health workers will administer the medicine door-to-door. In the third phase, those who were missed will be covered in a mop-up round. Pregnant women, critically ill patients, and children under two years of age have been excluded from the campaign. Strict instructions have been given not to take the medicine on an empty stomach.

To raise public awareness, the village heads (Sarpanches) will take the medicine first. Announcements will be made in every village, and pledge-taking ceremonies will be held in schools. Special arrangements have also been made for publicity in urban areas. The administration’s goal is to make Bastar completely free from filariasis.