Lok Sabha Question No. 946 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-04-29
Subject: National Filaria Control Programme
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: JASVANTSINH SUMANBHAI BHABHOR, SAKUNTALA LAGURI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED  QUESTION NO. 946 TO BE ANSWERED ON 29 TH APRIL, 2016

## NATIONAL FILARIA CON TROL PROGRAMME

## 946. SHRI JASVANTSINH SUMANBHAI BHABHOR: SHRIMATI SAKUNTALA LAGURI:

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?

## ANSWER 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 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 field surveys in rural areas to know the filaria endemicity.

Consequent  to  World  Health  Assembly  resolution  in  1997  for  global  Eliminati on  of Lymphatic Filariasis (ELF) by 2020 and India being a signatory to this resolution, the st annual Mass Drug Administration (MDA) and morbidity management was launched in 2004, in order  to  achieve  the  National  goal  of  elimination  to  be  achieve d y 2015  as  envisaged  in National Health Policy 2002.

This  strategy  of  annual  MDA  was  implemented  in  district  including  urban  areas protect the population living at risk in endemic districts.  A total of 255 endemic dist states and 5 Unio n Territories have been covered under MDA.

Contd………

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. achievement of the programme is indicated by reduction in microfilaria rate and estimat impact  through  Transmission  As sessment  Survey  (TAS).    TAS  was  started  since  2013  for phasing out MDA and till date 72 districts have been successfully validated and 46 are process of validation.  Remaining 137 districts were covered under MDA in 2015.  In 2016 process  of  val idation  will  be  undertaken  in  62  districts  tentatively  and  remaining  wi 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 prevent ion and control of six vector borne diseases including Lymphatic Filariasis.

Total allocation made and released (cash grant) to states/UTs under NVBDCP for l three years and allocation for current year is as under:

(Rs. In crores)

| Year     |   Allocation | Released   |
|----------|--------------|------------|
| 2013- 14 |       342    | 265.84     |
| 2014- 15 |       342.1  | 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 supervisi
- 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  Transmissi Assessment Survey (TAS).
- o Intensification of Morbidity management for disability alleviation manifestations like elephantiasis and hydrocele.

………………….

of cases