Maharashtra’s continuation of the National Filaria Control Program (NFCP) and its effective implementation of the Elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis (ELF) program reflects the state’s strong aspiration toward eliminating the disease. Over the last 15 years, Maharashtra successfully launched and implemented the ELF program, which enabled 11 of 17 endemic implementation units (IUs), to reach various stages of clearing the transmission assessment surveys after mass drug administration (MDA).
Five key strategies enabled Maharashtra to achieve and sustain its remarkable outcomes: (1) adherence to national guidelines with local adaptations, (2) collaboration among departments and stakeholders, (3) effective leadership and human resource management, (4) local influencers and social mobilization campaigns, and (5) learnings from previous public health interventions. In this section we explore each strategy in detail.
“A good management introduces seriousness into the program, then the people down the line from district to taluk, to PHC to sub–center to village everybody will take it seriously. If you have very good leadership, you will be able to motivate the people down the line at different levels”.
Dr. K. D. Ramaiah, LF Expert & Ex-Scientist E, Vector Control Research Centre (ICMR) (Puducherry)