Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:
(a) whether national filaria control programme has been implemented;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) the fund allocated and released for implementation of the said programme; and
(d) the other steps taken by the Government to curb filaria menace in the country?
THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
(SHRI JAGAT PRAKASH NADDA)
(a): Yes, National Filaria Control Programme (NFCP) was launched in 1955 in the country.
(b): Under NFCP, the activities of detection and treatment of filarial cases and vector control through anti larval operations was limited in urban areas of 206 towns where states established filaria control units and clinics. In addition, 27 survey units were established for conducting field surveys in rural areas to know the filaria endemicity.
Consequent to World Health Assembly resolution in 1997 for global Elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis (ELF) by 2020 and India being a signatory to this resolution, the strategy of annual Mass Drug Administration (MDA) and morbidity management was launched in 2004, in order to achieve the National goal of elimination to be achieved by 2015 as envisaged in National Health Policy 2002.
This strategy of annual MDA was implemented in district including urban areas to protect the population living at risk in endemic districts. A total of 255 endemic districts in 16 states and 5 Union Territories have been covered under MDA.
Contd………
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The population coverage reported by states has improved from 73% in 2004 to 88% in 2015. The overall microfilaria prevalence has reduced from 1.24% in 2004 to 0.4% in 2015. The achievement of the programme is indicated by reduction in microfilaria rate and estimation of impact through Transmission Assessment Survey (TAS). TAS was started since 2013 for phasing out MDA and till date 72 districts have been successfully validated and 46 are under process of validation. Remaining 137 districts were covered under MDA in 2015. In 2016, the process of validation will be undertaken in 62 districts tentatively and remaining will be subjected for MDA.
(c): Under National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP), the funds are allocated and released to the states/UTs in an integrated manner for prevention and control of six vector borne diseases including Lymphatic Filariasis.
Total allocation made and released (cash grant) to states/UTs under NVBDCP for last three years and allocation for current year is as under:
(Rs. In crores)
Year Allocation Released
2013-14 342.00 265.84
2014-15 342.10 250.65
2015-16 275.73 275.73
2016-17 282.41
(d): Steps taken by the Government for elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis are as under:
o Financial support to States/UTs.
o Technical support to states through guidelines, field visits and supportive supervision.
o Strengthening of IEC/BCC through prototype, TV/Radio spot and its telecast/broadcast.
o Dissemination of guidelines for MDA, TAS and other technical material.
o Strengthening of capacity building for state and district officials.
o Free supply of anti filarial drugs
o Free supply of diagnostic kits from WHO for validation test through Transmission Assessment Survey (TAS).
o Intensification of Morbidity management for disability alleviation of cases with manifestations like elephantiasis and hydrocele.
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