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No drug will reverse the disfigurement or disability caused by filariasis so it is best to be treated before contracting it.
That’s the message from the Health ministry as the anti-filarial campaign began today.
The public has been urged to support the ministry’s initiative to eliminate filariasis.
Health spokesman Iliesa Tora said the campaign will run for two weeks with a coverage target of more than 85 per cent.
People have been advised to take advantage of this.
“Our team will go to the health centers and homes distributing these tablets, but we are encouraging those who miss out to make a point of getting them,” he said.
“The only thing people need to take with them is their name, residential address and their age.
“Age is a requirement because this determines the quantity of tablets that will be given to an individual,” he added.
At the launch of the National Mass Drug Administration program of anti-filarial tablets on Friday, Acting Permanent Secretary for Health, Dr. Eloni Tora said everyone above the age of two needs to take these drugs.
Dr. Tora said only the very sick, pregnant and those under two years are exempted from taking their drugs this year.
Fiji has undergone this Drug Administration of anti-filarial program for five years since 2002 and a survey in 2007 revealed that the prevalence has fallen from 15.9 per cent in 2002 to 9.5 per cent in 2005.
