Scenario of Lymphatic Filariasis (LF) in Bangladesh: A Scientific Approach

Abstract

Lymphatic filariasis is highly endemic in the northern part of Bangladesh. Long-term disability, social embarrassment, and preterm deaths are ultimate outcome of the neglected tropical disease. The Bangladesh government has taken different positive and constructive initiatives to reduce the DALYs, chronic devastating consequence, and mortality rate of the disease. It has been observed that budgetary constraints, lack of skilled persons or health volunteers, proper interventions, knowledge regarding vector control, public health, the inadequate infrastructural development, high level social stigma, and unexpected poor socioeconomic condition in the highly endemic districts are interrupting to eliminate LF in Bangladesh. Periodic mass drug administration and NTD strategies are facing multidimensional obstacles. So, strategic changes and improving the IEC system to the highly endemic districts are needed to achieve the desired goal of LF elimination in Bangladesh.