Nepali Minister for Health and Population Giri Raj Mani Pokharel has launched "Elephantiasis Prevention and Mass Drug Administration" program by taking a pill against the disease, The Himalayan Times reported on Saturday.
According to the daily, the government Friday announced its plan to eliminate elephantiasis by 2015 and is organizing a two- phase medicine distribution campaign in 20 districts this year.
Sanendra Upreti, director, Division of Epidemiology and Disease Control under the Department of Health Services, said the disease that is seen in 60 districts in Nepal would be eliminated from the world by 2020.
The first phase of drug distribution is scheduled for Jan. 31 to Feb. 1 in some districts in the country.
According to Dr Uprety, the budget allocated for the purpose was approximately 48 million Nepali rupees (some 615,380 U.S. dollars). The program, that targets to reach 9.4 million people in 20 districts, is planned to be carried out by 39,000 volunteers.
The medicine is going to be distributed free of charge while a public awareness campaign is set to be held every year. The medicine can be taken by everyone except pregnant women, seriously ill people and children below two years of age, Xinhua reported.