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The elephantiasis disease, which makes the hands and legs swell like an elephant, has spread terror in UP and Bihar. This infectious disease caused by mosquito bites is also called lymphatic filariasis or elephantiasis. In this disease, some parts of the body swell and the skin can become thick and hard like an elephant. Apart from the legs, it can also occur in the hands, breasts, and genitals. Due to which these parts of the body start looking heavy and lumpy. Also, there can be pain in the swollen part. However, now the central government has increased the budget to get rid of this disease.
India’s budget for the eradication of elephantiasis has increased by 12.96 percent for the financial year 2024-2025. The budget amount for 2024-2025 is Rs 90,958.63 crore. This increase in the budget reflects the country’s commitment to improve healthcare. In this budget, the National Health Mission (NHM) has also received an additional Rs 4,000 crore, taking its total budget to Rs 36,000 crore. The objective of this mission is to strengthen the primary and secondary healthcare systems as well as make rapid efforts to deal with public health problems like elephantiasis.
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Dr Neeraj Dhingra, former director of the National Centre for Vector Borne Disease Control, said, ‘The government’s commitment to reducing the burden of elephantiasis is evident from the fact that they have increased the amount allocated for it in this year’s budget. The ‘elephantiasis elimination’ programme has seen a remarkable 300 per cent increase in budget allocation in the last 4 years. This increase is an indication of prioritisation of resources.’
Dr Dhingra said that a lot has changed in states like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, which have a high burden of the disease. In these states, budget proposals and approvals have increased significantly since FY 2019-20. Budgetary utilisation has improved due to increased funding. This increase in funding increased from 60% to 73% between 2017-18 and 2018-19. He said, ‘To achieve these goals, continued investment in research and development, especially to identify biological markers and high transmission areas, is very important.’
Vikas Sinha, Team Leader, Communicable Diseases, Piramal Foundation, emphasised on the future direction, saying, “India’s resolve to eliminate elephantiasis ahead of the global target prioritises this debilitating disease. The government provides free medicines through bi-annual mass drug administration (MDA), performs free hydrocele surgeries, and focuses on providing funds in high-burden states. The number of disability certificates issued in Bihar increased from zero in 2021 to 3,721 in 2023. This figure shows the importance of sustainable financing there.
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Tag: health news, Lifestyle
first published : August 28, 2024, 5:42 PM IST
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