Public-private partnership offers a strategic opportunity for lymphatic filariasis elimination in India by 2030.
Muhammed Jabir, Manju Rahi
Acta tropica · 2026-06
Abstract
India carries a significant burden of lymphatic filariasis. Although the national elimination programme has been implemented since the early 2000s, LF remains endemic in 345 districts. The economic and operational demands of large-scale interventions, such as mass drug distribution, morbidity management, and post-MDA surveillance, place a considerable strain on the public health infrastructure. Moreover, the disability, stigma and productivity loss associated with lymphedema impose substantial socio-economic burden. Given the large presence of private and non-profit sectors in India, public-private partnerships (PPPs) present a strategic yet underutilised opportunity to strengthen the current programme. Although PPPs have been effectively utilised in major public health initiatives such as polio eradication and tuberculosis control in India, their integration into the LF remains limited. Therefore, PPPs can bridge gaps in operational domains, including advocacy, social mobilization and addressing treatment non-compliance during MDA, post-MDA surveillance, patient identification and care, digital innovations, operational research, and vector control. Harnessing the capabilities of the private sector is complementary to the efforts of Indian national programme to improve the quality and sustainability of interventions to achieve its 2030 elimination goal.
MeSH terms
- India
- Elephantiasis, Filarial
- Humans
- Public-Private Sector Partnerships
- Disease Eradication
- Filaricides
- Mass Drug Administration