Multistakeholder Consultations on Programmatic Progress, Challenges, and Policy Priorities for Lymphatic Filariasis Elimination in India

This report presents the key proceedings and outcomes of three regional consultative workshops convened to review progress, identify challenges, and propose strategic actions for lymphatic filariasis elimination in India. The workshops were organized by the Indian Council of Medical Research-Vector Control Research Centre, Puducherry in collaboration with the Women's Collective Forum, New Delhi from June 2025 to August 2025. Consultations were held in three endemic states representing different regions of India (Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, and Tamil Nadu), bringing together stakeholders from the national program, the WHO, donor agencies, nongovernmental organizations, academia, and research institutions. The consultations revealed that the nature of challenges varied considerably by region. Common challenges included gaps in mass drug administration (MDA) coverage and associated reporting and the persistence of never-treated populations. Shortfalls in diagnostic availability, surveillance capacity, and morbidity management services were also reported across regions. Rapid urbanization and an increase in informal settlements with poor facilities were identified as a cause of concern. Recommended programmatic actions included strengthening field supervision, real-time MDA monitoring, targeted strategies for never-treated and high-refusal populations, and improving diagnostic supplies and surveillance capacities. Context-specific interventions included migrant-focused surveillance and treatment, urban microplanning, and intensified post-MDA surveillance in areas that have passed transmission assessment surveys. Long-term priorities included strengthening intersectoral coordination, scaling up molecular xenomonitoring for vector surveillance, and expanding public-private partnerships for morbidity management. Thus, the workshop enabled the identification and discussion of the critical region-specific challenges and also helped to provide operationally feasible strategies to address these issues.