Anti-Filariasis tablets will be distributed once more by the Ministry of Health in a bid to eliminate filariasis in Fiji. The 2011 Mass Drug Administration (MDA) will begin from the 26th September and the ministry health teams will visit homes to deliver and ensure that people take the tablets.
The tablets will also be available at designated health facilities (Health Centre’s and Nursing Stations) within the Central, Eastern and Northern Divisions. This year the Central, Eastern and Northern divisions will undergo a further (9th) round of MDA scheduled for 26th September to 7th October.
Lymphatic Filariasis (LF) affects at least 120 million people in more than 73 countries worldwide.
A major cause of physical, economical, social and psychological suffering to people living in both rural and urban centres, the asymptomatic stages of the disease is associated with altered immune systems, damaged lymphatic systems and damage to kidneys.
At least half of the people infected with lymphatic filariasis show no signs of the disease (asymptomatic). However the chronic signs of lymphatic filariasis often seen in adults are elephantiasis, hydrocele (scrotal swelling) and lymphoedema (disfiguring swelling of arms and legs). Men are usually more severely affected by chronic symptoms of Lymphatic Filariasis.
The lymphatic filariasis program in Fiji started in 2001 with a baseline survey and from 2002-2005 where Fiji carried out its first 5 year round of the Mass Drug Administration (MDA) of anti-filariasis tablets.
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