JHAPA, April  13: More people in Jhapa took the medication preventing elephantiasis in 2073 BS compared to the previous year.

According to the District Public Health Office (DPHO), Jhapa, 80 percent people in the district were administered the medicine against 73 percent in the previous year. DPHO officials say the growth is remarkable “as it seems the educated people who are more reluctant to take the drug took it.” 

“More people took the medicine in the outgoing year. It is an encouraging sign,” said Bed Ghimire, an officer at the DPHO, “Yet, we couldn't make it 100 percent.” 

The DPHO had carried out the drug campaign for three days last week. Though the target was to administer the drug to 733,000 people, only 580,400 could be administered the drug. “Despite a massive campaign, we could not meet the target,” said Ghimire. 

The medicine was distributed from 4,000 booths and 3,786 health workers were mobilized for the purpose. Ghimire stated that educated people are more reluctant to take the medicine and to make the campaign successful, there is a need to change their mindset. “It is not hard to convince the illiterate or uneducated people. They readily take the medicine. But those who are educated are difficult to deal with,” he said. 

Following negative reports a few years ago about the effects of elephantiasis medication, people had taken it negatively. Despite repeated assurance from the government that the medication is safe, people seem skeptical about it. 

“There are instances where teachers and other professionals have escaped it. It is very difficult to convince such people,” he said, adding, “However, the increase in the number of people taking the medication by seven percent is encouraging.” 

 
• elephantiasis medication
 
• district public health office
 
• jhapa
 
• 2073