RAIPUR: Chhattisgarh Health and Family Welfare Minister T S Singh Deo on Monday said the state government is committed to the health security of all its residents. Full commitment has been made to eradicate vector borne diseases.

He was virtually inaugurating the programme of mass drug administration by consuming filarial drugs himself. He also launched the audio-visual messages by film actor Manoj Bajpayee to the people regarding Filariasis.

Under the National Filaria Eradication Programme, mass drug intake programme is being held in three filaria affected districts of the state namely- Raipur, Gariyaband and Baloda Bazar, an official communication said.

Singh Deo said the coordinated efforts from central to village level will ensure complete eradication of Filariasis from the state. Apart from mass drug administration, door-to-door visits need to be done so that no beneficiary is left out.

He underlined the need for spreading mass awareness among the public.

Joint Director, National Health Mission, Chhattisgarh Dr. Surendra Pambhoi said that filarial disease is spread by the bite of infected Culex mosquito. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), filariasis is one of the leading causes of long-term disability worldwide.

State Nodal Officer, Filaria Dr. Jagannath Rao said that the drug will be administered to 54.14 lakh beneficiaries. The prescribed dose of Albendazole will be given free of cost.