-RDC urges change in attitude

AMID reports of climbing refusal rates, councillors of the Region Two Regional Democratic Council (RDC) are calling on residents to take their filaria pills.

A Mass Drug Administration (MDA) campaign was recently rolled out in the region and distribution of the pills which commenced on March 8 will conclude on March 21. The region has over 130 pill distributors who have been dispatched to communities across the region to conduct house-to-house visits.

People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) RDC councillor and Chairman of the Health and Sanitation Committee, Arnold Adams, told the council on Wednesday last that he consumed the pills at the regional launch and to date he has had no side effects. He urged his fellow Essequibians to take the pills.

“I am urging the entire Essequibo population to take the filaria pills as it is beneficial for your bodies and it helps fight against intestinal worms and lice,” Adams said.

Opposition Councillor Mark Mc Lean joined with Adams in encouraging the entire Region Two to take the pills.

In addressing his fellow councillors at the council’s statutory meeting held in the RDC boardroom, he mentioned that he is a field officer attached to the Lymphatic Filariasis Elimination Campaign 2021 and based on reports, many persons are refusing to take the pills.

“We need to come together and deal with the issue. I am the supervisor for an area and based on reports they [sic] is a high refusal. I am therefore asking all the leaders to play your part and encourage the population to take the pills,” Mc Lean said.

He also urged the RDC councillors to use their social media platforms to help sensitise persons to the importance of taking the pills. Mc Lean said that the triple-drug therapy that the Ministry of Health in collaboration with PAHO/WHO has recommended, has been proven to be safe and effective worldwide. The triple-drug therapy which comprises Ivermectin, Dec, and Albendazole is currently being distributed.

Meanwhile, Regional Chairperson Vilma De Silva who recently took her filaria pills, encouraged the councillors to go and spread the word. De Silva is urging Essequibians to cooperate with the pill distributors and take the pills as a way of protecting themselves, their families, and their communities.

Based on reports, the consumption figures compared to the last campaign have dropped.

Regional health officials have informed this newspaper that it is safe to take the pills seven days after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.

According to the Ministry of Health, Guyana needs only two successful rounds of the MDA to eliminate filaria transmission, but persons will need to consume the pills. Sensitisation has intensified in the region as pill distributors are currently in various communities sharing the pills.

The pills are given on the basis of a person’s height. Lymphatic Filariasis (LF) is a mosquito-borne disease caused by a tiny worm called microfilaria that damages the lymphatic system, leading to extreme swelling of the legs, arms, and scrotum.

Anyone who may have experienced adverse side effects after consuming the pills are asked to contact the nearest health centre or hospital.