The national campaign for the distribution of preventive mass treatment for lymphatic filariasis launches

The Citizen /Haffiya Elyas

The Federal Ministries of Health and Kassala State, in cooperation with the Carter Center, launched the national campaign for preventive mass treatment of lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis) in Kassala locality, targeting six localities. Dr. Razan Mohammed Othman, Director of the Federal Health National Program for Tropical Diseases, stated that the campaign aims to reach 686,940 people in the six localities of the state, utilizing a workforce of 1,239 people and noting the implementation of three strategies.

The representative of the Ministry of Health in Kassala State, Shaa al-Din Hamza, revealed that the targeted localities include Kassala, West Kassala, Wad Al-Helio, Atbara River, North Delta, and Telcock locality. He noted that the 2003 surveys showed the presence of the microbe in the state, which requires intensifying awareness, especially regarding the late onset of symptoms. He appreciated the roles of the Carter Center and Federal Health.

The representative of the Carter Center, Dr. Essam Zarrouk, noted that the year 1995 witnessed the beginning of cooperation with Sudan in the Trachoma program until we reached the certification that Sudan is free of the disease soon.

“Currently, this is campaign No. 3 in Kassala State, which will be followed by a scientific evaluation of the disease after two years, leading to its elimination,” he added, pointing to the spread of the disease in 64 localities in 14 states, targeting the treatment of 11 million citizens.