THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

BHUBANESWAR, FEBRUARY 6, 2026

In a renewed push to eliminate filariasis and safeguard public health, the Odisha government will roll out a large-scale Mass Drug Administration (MDA) programme from February 10, covering nearly 7.40 lakh people across five districts of the state. The initiative marks a crucial step in preventing the mosquito-borne disease and reinforcing Odisha’s commitment to disease elimination through community-wide interventions.

The MDA programme will be conducted alongside the National Deworming Day (NDD) campaign from February 10 to 19 in Balangir, Bargarh, Dhenkanal, Jajpur and Ganjam districts. As per the approved plan, the exercise will be implemented across seven designated Implementation Units, including selected blocks and urban areas, ensuring focused and effective coverage in vulnerable regions.

Under the programme, beneficiaries will be administered a three-drug regimen comprising Diethylcarbamazine (DEC), Albendazole and Ivermectin, which together form the globally recommended protocol for filariasis prevention. However, children below two years of age, pregnant women and seriously ill individuals have been advised not to consume the medicines, in line with established medical guidelines.

To ensure seamless execution, the Health Department has deployed around 2,200 trained drug administrators who will conduct door-to-door visits to deliver the medication directly to households. Their efforts will be closely monitored by 210 observers assigned to supervise field operations and ensure adherence to protocols.

Addressing a press conference, the department emphasized that inter-departmental coordination and active community participation are vital to the success of the programme. The conference was chaired by Special Secretary Jitendra Mohan Bebarta and attended by senior health officials including Director of Health Services Dr. Pradeep Kumar Guru, Director of Public Health Dr. Nilakantha Mishra and other key officials.

The government has sought cooperation from multiple departments such as Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water, School and Mass Education, Higher Education, Mission Shakti, Women and Child Development, Urban Development and others to maximize outreach and awareness.