India launches accelerated plan to eliminate elephantiasis
New Delhi, June 13: Health Minister J.P. Nadda on Wednesday said India has made much progress in eliminating lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis) as he launched an accelerated plan for its elimination at the start of a three-day global meet of 72 endemic countries.
"(A total of) 100 districts out of total 256 endemic districts have achieved elimination target and stopped Mass Drug Administration (MDA) after successful validation by Transmission Assessment Survey (TAS) and are under post MDA surveillance," he said at the biennial meeting.
Nadda, who inaugurated the 10th meeting of Global Alliance to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis (GAELF) here, said India is committed to eliminating lymphatic filariasis transmission and disease burden so that future generations are free from the disease.
Releasing the Accelerated Plan for Elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis (LF) 2018 for India, he said he was sure the accelerated plan will also expedite the last leap for its elimination.
Stating that India will always welcome newer initiatives and research, he said that the strategy to eliminate LF here is based on twin pillars of MDA once in a year for interruption of transmission (no new case) and to cater to the patients already afflicted with the disease.
There is urgent need for total integration of different departments to mobilize the community, he said.
He also gave GAELF awards to 11 countries -- Cambodia, Cook Islands, Egypt, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Niue, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Togo, Tonga and Vanuatu -- for successfully interrupting the transmission, the Health Ministry said in a statement.
"I am sure during the three days of deliberations, experts will come out with pragmatic approach towards elimination of LF. There is a need for all stakeholders to work in an integrated manner in order to eliminate lymphatic filariasis as public health problem," said Minister of State for Health Ashwini Kumar Choubey.
Elephantiasis is one of the oldest and neglected disease, which is currently endemic in 73 countries, including India. It is caused by Wuchereria Bancrofti and spread by Culex mosquito, which grows in dirty accumulated water, the ministry said.
LF does not kill the affected people, but may cause permanent disfigurement like swelling in the arms and legs, reduced productivity and social stigma. The skin may become thicker and the condition may become painful.
GAELF is an alliance of partners from 72 LF endemic national country programmes, NGOs, private sectors, academic and research institutes and international development agencies that assists WHO's Global Programme to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis.
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Supreme Court takes suo motu cognizance of Karnataka HC Judge's controversial remarks, seeks report
New Delhi: The Supreme Court, on September 20, took suo motu cognizance of video clips containing controversial remarks made by Justice Vedavyasachar Srishananda of the Karnataka High Court. A five-judge bench, led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and comprising Justices Sanjiv Khanna, BR Gavai, Surya Kant, and Hrishikesh Roy, has ordered a report from the Karnataka High Court.
The decision follows two videos that surfaced on social media, showing Justice Srishananda referring to an area in Bengaluru as "Pakistan" and making objectionable comments toward a woman advocate during hearings. The Court directed the Registrar General of the Karnataka High Court to submit a report after consulting the Chief Justice of the Karnataka High Court. The matter will be further examined on Monday.
Chief Justice Chandrachud emphasised the responsibility of judges in the age of social media, stating, "We are closely watched, and we have to act accordingly."
The comments have drawn widespread criticism, including from prominent lawyers, after the video went viral on social media.
