Global Programme to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis ... - libdoc.who.int

BANGLADESH109Endemicity statusEndemicNon-endemicUncertainAnnual Report on Lymphatic Filariasis 2003The administrative division designated as an IU is the district.The total number of IUs in Bangladesh is 64. The mappingof LF is in progress; 23 of the 25 mapped IUs were endemicwith an estimated at-risk population of 49.9 million.MDA was implemented in 2001 in Panchagar district,covering 896 000 people with albendazole plus DEC, andachieved a coverage of 95.5%. The programme then scaledup and covered 4.9 million people in four districts in 2002,with a coverage of 93.6%. The reported coverage has beenvalidated by independent assessments. For the third roundof MDA, in 2003, 6.7 million people were targeted, with areported coverage of 92.2% (range: 89% to 93.7%).The strategy for MDA is door-to-door drug distributionby health and family planning field staff and volunteers.Drugs are also distributed in schools, mosques, cinemas,shopping complexes and bus stations, using volunteers,boy scouts and girl guides. These volunteers are coordinatedby officials of the local health system. The MDA isconducted over a 10-day period in all districts in Octobereach year; future plans are to reduce the durationby increasing the number of volunteers. Informationabout the MDA is communicated to the population byan extensive social mobilization programme using films,billboards, leaflets, audio cassettes, posters and banners.A programme of training in disability prevention andcontrol was launched in Panchagar district in 2001 andwas extended to Nilphamari district in 2002: 43 doctorswere trained. In addition, 60 doctors were trainedin hydrocelectomy in January 2003. A filaria hospitalwas constructed in Nilphamari district in 2002 by a nongovernmentalorganization with a grant from JICA.Chapter 3 Programme implementationTable 3.29 Goal: to eliminate LF from Bangladesh by 2015Objectives• To interrupt transmission of LFStrategies• Coverage of the entire at-risk population by MDA for at least 5 years• To prevent and control LF-associateddisability• Implementaton of simple hygiene measures through a communityhome-based care approach• Promoting increased access to surgery for sufferers with one or moreurogenital manifestations