In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Kamalakar Arjun Lashkare, National Professional Officer for Lymphatic Filariasis at the World Health Organization Country Office for India.

We explore the global fight against lymphatic filariasis—commonly known as filaria—and unpack the World Health Organization’s strategy to eliminate it as a public health problem.

Dr. Lashkare explains why WHO views filariasis not merely as a disease, but as a broader public health challenge with deep social and economic consequences. We discuss the organization’s technical framework, its overall global elimination roadmap, and the central role of Mass Drug Administration (MDA) in interrupting transmission.

The conversation also dives into India’s efforts, one of the countries bearing a high burden of the disease, and how national strategies are shaped, implemented, and monitored. Finally, we examine what happens after elimination: the critical steps needed to prevent resurgence and ensure that filariasis does not return as a public health threat.

Credits

Guest: Dr. Kamalakar Arjun Lashkare

Host: Shreya M

Research: Alisha

Concept: Piramal Foundation

Produced by: The Good Sight

For feedback or to participate, write to us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠contact@thegoodsight.org⁠

#DefeatFilaria #WHO #PublicHealth #CommunityLedChange

Filaria, commonly known as elephantiasis, continues to affect the health and livelihoods of hardworking rural communities. Yet, with the right awareness, timely medication, and strong community participation, this preventable disease can be eliminated.

In this episode, we are joined by Manmohan Singh, CEO, Aspirational Bharat Collaborative, Piramal Foundation, who shares insights on how Piramal Foundation approaches filaria elimination, how this effort aligns with its larger vision, and what meaningful change looks like when communities lead the way.

The conversation explores why eliminating filaria is not just a public health priority but also essential for social and economic development; how community-driven program design transforms outcomes on the ground; what impact looks like beyond numbers and coverage; and how leadership support strengthens long-term public health initiatives.

Credits

Guest: Manmohan Singh, CEO, Aspirational Bharat Collaborative

Host: Sanjay

Research: Alisha

Concept: Piramal Foundation

Produced by: The Good Sight

For feedback or to participate, write to us at ⁠⁠⁠contact@thegoodsight.org

#DefeatFilaria #FilariaFreeIndia #PublicHealth #CommunityLedChange

This episode focuses on the fight against lymphatic filariasis (filaria) — commonly known as “elephantiasis” — a preventable yet deeply debilitating disease that continues to affect rural communities across India.

Our guest is Shri Shashi Prakash Jha, Managing Director of the National Health Mission, Jharkhand. In this conversation, we explore how Jharkhand is planning and implementing large-scale efforts to eliminate filaria and protect vulnerable rural populations whose livelihoods depend on daily physical work.

The discussion explains why eliminating filaria requires far more than distributing medicines. Shri Jha shares how the health system plans, coordinates, and executes prevention efforts — from strategy and logistics to last-mile delivery in villages.

A major focus of the episode is Mass Drug Administration (MDA), a nationwide public health effort that ensures preventive medicines reach every eligible person. While the concept sounds simple, implementing it across geographically diverse and remote areas comes with significant operational challenges. Shri Jha discusses the realities on the ground and how teams work to overcome them.

The episode also highlights the critical role of frontline health workers — ASHA workers, ANMs, and field teams — who form the backbone of filaria elimination efforts. Through training, support systems, and constant community engagement, the health mission works to ensure these workers remain motivated, protected, and effective in reaching households across the state.

Another important theme is addressing fear, myths, and misinformation around taking preventive medicines.

We conclude with insights into how public health teams measure progress — the indicators, field data, and community feedback that help determine whether elimination efforts are truly making an impact on the ground.

Credits
Guest: Shri Shashi Prakash Jha, MD, National Health Mission, Jharkhand
Host: Sanjay P
Research: Alisha C
Concept: Piramal Foundation
Produced by: The Good Sight

For feedback or to participate, write to us at ⁠⁠contact@thegoodsight.org⁠⁠

#Filaria #LymphaticFilariasis #PublicHealth #Jharkhand #CommunityHealth #MDA #PiramalFoundation #TheGoodSight