Disease eradication programmes
- The Government is implementing three disease eradication programmes namely, National Vector Borne Diseases Control Programme (NVBDCP), National Leprosy Eradication Programme (NLEP) andNational TB Elimination programme (NTEP).
- Under National Vector Borne Diseases Control Programme (NVBDCP), 3 diseases namely Malaria, Filaria & Kala-Azar are under elimination programme.
- These diseases are targeted for elimination, and not for eradication.
National Vector Borne Diseases Control Programme (NVBDCP):
- It was launched in 2003-04 by merging National anti-malaria control programme,
- National Filaria Control Programme and Kala Azar Control programmes. Japanese B Encephalitis and Dengue/DHF have also been included in this Program.
Malaria:
- The Government has launched the National Framework for Malaria Elimination (NFME), 2016-2030 to eliminate malaria in India in a phased manner.
- The goal is to achieve zero indigenous cases of Malaria in the country by 2027 and to sustain elimination by 2030.
Major Interventions:
- Early diagnosis and radical treatment: Use of Rapid Diagnostic Test Kits, ASHA incentives for diagnosis & ensuring complete treatment.
- Case-based surveillance and rapid response
- Integrated vector management (IVM)
- Indoor residual spray (IRS)- 2 rounds of IRS for vector control in areas with Annual Parasite Incidence
- Long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) / Insecticide treated bed nets (ITNs): LLINs are being used in the programme to cover sub centres with Annual Parasite Incidence >1.
- Larval source management (LSM)
- Epidemic preparedness and early response
- Behaviour Change Communication and community mobilization
Interventions for Lymphatic Filariasis:
- Mass Drug administration (MDA) for disease transmission control was launched.
- To accelerate disease elimination, an Accelerated Plan for Elimination of Lymphatic filariasis (APELF) 2018, triple Drug Therapy (Ivermectin + Diethylcarbamazine (DEC) + Albendazole) has been implemented in 30 districts and is being further scaled up.
- Morbidity Management & Disability Prevention (MMDP) targets 100% coverage for hydrocele surgery and home-based morbidity management services for lymphoedema cases.
- The achievement of <1% Microfilaria rate is validated by Transmission Assessment Survey (TAS).
Interventions for Kala-Azar:
- Single Dose Liposomal Amphotericin B (LAMB) for treatment.
- Use of synthetic pyrethroid in place of DDT for IRS.
- Introduction of hand compression pumps in place of stirrup pumps for convenience and quality of IRS
- Revised incentives to PKDL patients from Rs. 2,000/- to 4,000/- and to ASHA from Rs.300/- to 500/- in 2018.
- Pucca houses in KA affected villages have been constructed under PMAY-G - Total 25,955 houses in 2017-18 (1371 houses in Bihar & 24584 in Jharkhand).
National TB Elimination programme(NTEP):
- It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme being implemented under the aegis of the National Health Mission with resource sharing between the State Governments and the Central Government.
- The goal of the program is to achieve a TB-free India with zero deaths, disease and poverty due to tuberculosis.
- The Government has targeted to end TB by 2025, 5 years ahead of the global targets of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of 2030.
- Eradication of tuberculosis is not possible due to ongoing transmission of the disease. The programme is aiming at its elimination.
- The National Strategic Plan (2017-25) is being implemented for ending TB in the country by 2025.
key focus areas:
- Early diagnosis of all the TB patients, prompt treatment with quality assured drugs and treatment regimens along with suitable patient support systems to promote adherence.
- Engaging with the patients seeking care in the private sector.
- Prevention strategies including active case finding and contact tracing in high risk / vulnerable population
- Airborne infection control.
- Multi-sectoral response for addressing social determinants.
National Leprosy Eradication Programme (NLEP):
- Govt. of India started the National Leprosy Control Programme in 1955.
- The National Leprosy Eradication Programme that was launched after this, achieved the goal of elimination of leprosy as a public health problem, defined as less than 1 case per 10,000 Population, at the National Level in December 2005.
- The Programme is headed by the Deputy Director of Health Services (Leprosy ) under the administrative control of the Directorate General Health Services Govt. of India.
Objectives
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Early detection through active surveillance by trained health workers;
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Regular treatment of cases by providing Multi-Drug Therapy (MDT) at fixed in or centres a nearby village of moderate to low endemic areas/district;
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Intensified health education and public awareness campaigns to remove the social stigma attached to the disease.
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Appropriate medical rehabilitation and leprosy ulcer care services.
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Leprosy can only be eliminated as a Public Health problem, and not eradicated because of the extra human sources (reservoirs) of the Mycobacterium leprae (M. leprae), the agent responsible for causing leprosy.
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Eradication of the disease is permanent reduction to zero of the worldwide incidences of infection caused by specific agent as a result of deliberate efforts; and when intervention measures are no longer needed.
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Vector borne diseases (VBDs) are caused by vector and vector is climate sensitive and ecological driven.
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Vector is affected by temperature, humidity, rainfall etc, and, therefore, it is not possible to eradicate the VBDs completely from the world