Health officials cite that the drive was launched since the mosquito breeding sites with the arrival of the Northeast monsoon may aggravate the disease.
Coimbatore: Embarking on a particular drive to implement the anti-filariasis drive across the city from November 7, the Health Department has collected more than 8000 blood smears to fight filariasis, popularly known as elephantiasis.
Health officials cite that the drive was launched since the mosquito breeding sites with the arrival of the Northeast monsoon may aggravate the disease. “We have launched the drive and started collecting blood smears randomly from residents across the district from 8 pm to 11 pm,†stated Pradheep Krishnan, City Health Officer in an exclusive talk with SimpliCity.
"We did not launch the drive keeping a target, but would randomly collect blood smears from the residents. However, awareness and programmes about Malaria, Dengue and other such diseases are already on, across the district. Filariasis is one of the diseases that we need to be on the lookout for during the arrival of monsoon, as it is most prevalent in underdeveloped areas. The disease causes this parasitic infection from roundworms," he added
SimpliCity also spoke to Healthcare officials who explained that infection leads to lymphedema, forming fluid due to impaired function of the lymph vessels if left untreated on time. While the District health officials use PHCs and other structured healthcare centres to prevent the disease, Pradheep also warned that most affected persons might be asymptomatic.
"Symptoms may include itchy skin (pruritus), abdominal pain, chest pain, muscle pain (myalgias), and swelling under the skin. Other symptoms may include an abnormally enlarged liver and spleen (hepatosplenomegaly) and inflammation in the affected organs. Once the samples test for filariasis, we will reach out to the individuals for the treatment,†added Pradheep.
Speaking on the inauguration of the 12 out 63 health and wellness centres in the District under the National Health Mission scheme, Pradheep said the process for the same would begin once the State government appoints a doctor, nurse and another member for each centre. “We are awaiting a response from the State Government on this since the matter is still in the decision-making policy stage. These centres are miniatures of PHCs and will function after the Government appoints doctors, nurses and health workers,†he added.
Health officials cite that the drive was launched since the mosquito breeding sites with the arrival of the Northeast monsoon may aggravate the disease. “We have launched the drive and started collecting blood smears randomly from residents across the district from 8 pm to 11 pm,†stated Pradheep Krishnan, City Health Officer in an exclusive talk with SimpliCity.
"We did not launch the drive keeping a target, but would randomly collect blood smears from the residents. However, awareness and programmes about Malaria, Dengue and other such diseases are already on, across the district. Filariasis is one of the diseases that we need to be on the lookout for during the arrival of monsoon, as it is most prevalent in underdeveloped areas. The disease causes this parasitic infection from roundworms," he added
SimpliCity also spoke to Healthcare officials who explained that infection leads to lymphedema, forming fluid due to impaired function of the lymph vessels if left untreated on time. While the District health officials use PHCs and other structured healthcare centres to prevent the disease, Pradheep also warned that most affected persons might be asymptomatic.
"Symptoms may include itchy skin (pruritus), abdominal pain, chest pain, muscle pain (myalgias), and swelling under the skin. Other symptoms may include an abnormally enlarged liver and spleen (hepatosplenomegaly) and inflammation in the affected organs. Once the samples test for filariasis, we will reach out to the individuals for the treatment,†added Pradheep.
Speaking on the inauguration of the 12 out 63 health and wellness centres in the District under the National Health Mission scheme, Pradheep said the process for the same would begin once the State government appoints a doctor, nurse and another member for each centre. “We are awaiting a response from the State Government on this since the matter is still in the decision-making policy stage. These centres are miniatures of PHCs and will function after the Government appoints doctors, nurses and health workers,†he added.