Sri Lanka's anti-filaria programme, a huge success

Nadira GUNATILLKE

Sri Lanka achieved the WHO certified elimination level (less than one percent of micro filarial rate) for filaria.

Prof Garry Gail and  Prof Ramakrishna Rao

The current micro filarial rate in Sri Lanka is 0.3 percent. Two American professors are in Sri Lanka to conduct the final examination on the situation of the disease before issuing the WHO certificate, a Health Ministry spokesman said. According to the spokesman, the two American professors, Prof Garry Gail and Prof Ramakrishna Rao from the Washington University will conduct blood tests during their final examination. "They will select two PHI areas from eight districts and conduct blood tests. The Washington University will provide Rs 22 million for the anti- filaria programme in Sri Lanka. It will also set up a special laboratory for parasites," the spokesman said.

Filaria hit eight districts along the coastal belt including Puttalam, Gampaha, Colombo, Kalutara, Galle, Matara and Hambantota a few days ago. Sri Lanka successfully achieved the elimination level by implementing the anti- filaria programme countrywide and stopped local transmission, he said. The two American professors held discussions with Health Ministry Additional Secretary Dr. Palitha Mahipala, Anti Filaria Progamme director Dr U S B Ranasinghe, Deputy Director General of Public Health Dr Sarath Amunugama and other officials, he added.