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SL declared as Filaria free

Gibbs

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@Godman @Saradiel .. Polio done, Malaria done, Encephalitis done.. Only Dengue to be eradicated

SL declared as Filaria free


The World Health Organisation today declared Sri Lanka as a Filariasis free country, and awarded a certificate in recognition of the declaration, the Health Ministry said -

See more at: http://www.dailymirror.lk/112867/SL-declared-as-Filaria-free#sthash.gKmyTnZo.dpuf

Maldives and Sri Lanka eliminate lymphatic filariasis
SEAR/PR/1626

New Delhi, 3 June 2016 - In a significant progress against neglected tropical diseases in WHO South-East Asia Region, Maldives and Sri Lanka have eliminated lymphatic filariasis, a disease that was crippling people for decades, forcing them to lead a life of stigma, discrimination and poverty.

“The achievement by Maldives and Sri Lanka demonstrates the resolve of these countries and the Region as a whole to eliminate all neglected tropical diseases, which have no reason to continue and mar the lives of people,” Dr Poonam Khretrapal Singh, Regional Director, WHO South-East Asia Region, said. The success in Maldives and Sri Lanka follows intensified mosquito control efforts; treatment of the infected population, disability prevention and control; strengthening of surveillance; and closely monitoring and evaluating these efforts which together helped eliminate lymphatic filariasis (LF) as a public health problem.

“The neglected tropical disease (NTD) is typically of the ‘neglected’ population, the poor and the marginalised. By eliminating this NTD as a public health problem, Maldives and Sri Lanka have shown the way for reaching these populations with other health interventions, much needed to improve their overall health,” Dr Khetrapal Singh said.

Eliminating NTDs is also critical to sustainable development goals which emphasises on ‘no one being left behind’.

“Maldives is committed to enhancing health and wellbeing of its population. Achieving the goal of eliminating lymphatic filariasis, as a public health problem, has been possible with tireless efforts of hundreds of health workers across the island nation,” Ms Iruthisham Adam, Minister of Health, Maldives, said.

“Lymphatic filariasis elimination as a public health problem in Sri Lanka is a major public health success which has been possible with our strong commitment, dedication of our health workforce and active participation and support of the community,” Dr Rajitha Senaratne, Minister of Health, Sri Lanka, said.

Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is believed to have been endemic in Maldives since 12th and 13th century and is traced back to much earlier in Sri Lanka, with the mosquitos transmitting the bug found in abundance across the two countries.

Commonly known as elephantiasis, LF occurs when filarial parasites are transmitted to humans through mosquito bites. Infection is usually acquired in childhood and the painful and profoundly disfiguring visible manifestations appear much later in life, often in the form of elephantiasis which causes permanent disability. These patients suffer the disease and also suffer mental, social and financial losses contributing to stigma and poverty.

In 2012, the WHO neglected tropical diseases roadmap set the year 2020 as a target for achieving elimination of lymphatic filariasis as a public health problem. For LF elimination, WHO’s strategy is based on two key components - stopping the spread of infection through large-scale annual treatment of entire populations at risk in an area or region where infection is present; and alleviating the suffering caused by lymphatic filariasis through increased disease management and disability prevention measures.

In the South-East Asia Region, WHO has been prioritising finishing the task of eliminating diseases on the verge of elimination. Following Maldives and Sri Lanka’s success, LF endemic countries working towards elimination is now reduced to seven in the Region.

http://www.searo.who.int/mediacentre/releases/2016/1626/en/
 
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Great news, well done Sri Lanka.
I am a bit curious about malaria though, Is it really true that they have eradicated Malaria completly?
 
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Great news, well done Sri Lanka.
I am a bit curious about malaria though, Is it really true that they have eradicated Malaria completly?

It is yet to be officially declared by the WHO, But there have been zero cases of Malaria since 2012, On the island.. they have applied for that certification.. In any case Malaria was confined to some very small pockets of the former war zone for few decades till 2012, Thats simply because of inaccessibility to those area's by the state health authorities due to the conflict

Sri Lanka seeks WHO status as malaria free nation


COLOMBO, April 22 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka has steadily reduced the number of malaria cases and has applied for World Health Organization (WHO) certification on malaria-free status, the government information department said in a statement here on Friday.

Dr. Kapila Jayaratne , National Program Manager of Maternal Morbidity and Mortality Surveillance of the Family Health Bureau, said that Sri Lanka had reduced malaria cases from over 400,000 in 1991 to zero cases by November 2012, sustaining this achievement to date in spite of the nearly three decades of conflict between government troops and Tamil Tiger rebels.

He added that Sri Lanka would be celebrating the fourth consecutive year of no malaria but there are high risk groups which pose a threat to the island nation.

These include Sri Lankan businessmen and traders who travel frequently to India and other neighboring countries, Sri Lankans engaged in the gem business in African countries like Madagascar and Mozambique and Sri Lankan military personnel returning from peace-keeping missions in the African region.

Certification of malaria elimination is the official recognition of malaria free status granted by WHO. The final decision on granting certification is made by the WHO Director-General. Countries are expected to continue reporting on an annual basis to WHO on the maintenance of the malaria-free status.

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2016-04/22/c_135303648.htm
 
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It is yet to be officially declared by the WHO, But there have been zero cases of Malaria since 2012, On the island.. they have applied for that certification.. In any case Malaria was confined to a very small pockets of the former war zone for few decades till 2012, Thats simply because of inaccessibility to those area's by the state health authorities due to the conflict

Sri Lanka seeks WHO status as malaria free nation


COLOMBO, April 22 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka has steadily reduced the number of malaria cases and has applied for World Health Organization (WHO) certification on malaria-free status, the government information department said in a statement here on Friday.

Dr. Kapila Jayaratne , National Program Manager of Maternal Morbidity and Mortality Surveillance of the Family Health Bureau, said that Sri Lanka had reduced malaria cases from over 400,000 in 1991 to zero cases by November 2012, sustaining this achievement to date in spite of the nearly three decades of conflict between government troops and Tamil Tiger rebels.

He added that Sri Lanka would be celebrating the fourth consecutive year of no malaria but there are high risk groups which pose a threat to the island nation.

These include Sri Lankan businessmen and traders who travel frequently to India and other neighboring countries, Sri Lankans engaged in the gem business in African countries like Madagascar and Mozambique and Sri Lankan military personnel returning from peace-keeping missions in the African region.

Certification of malaria elimination is the official recognition of malaria free status granted by WHO. The final decision on granting certification is made by the WHO Director-General. Countries are expected to continue reporting on an annual basis to WHO on the maintenance of the malaria-free status.

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2016-04/22/c_135303648.htm
It is indeed a great achievement. I think Government of India can study their program and try to do same here in India as well. Once again Cheers for Sri Lanka.
 
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It is indeed a great achievement. I think Government of India can study their program and try to do same here in India as well. Once again Cheers for Sri Lanka.

Being an island nation certainly helps, In India it will be a massive effort given it's size, but yeah certainly any idea's would help especially when Lankan health authorities have a solid record in elimination many tropical diseases over the years

This is a comprehensive study of the Malaria eradication program in Sri Lanka

https://malariajournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1475-2875-13-59
 
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Being an island nation certainly helps, In India it will be a massive effort given it's size,
Govt. of India can and does accomplish wonders when it really commits to something.

Problem is they rarely commit to something. Most of the times they commit to lip service. :lol:
 
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