Thane: Union Health Minister Dr Ambamani Ramdoss today (Jun 5, 2004) said that healthcare was the top priority of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Government and Maharashtra would receive all possible assistance for meeting the State's requirement.

Launching the three-day drive to control Filaria on the occasion of National Filaria Day, Ramdoss said the Centre will ensure that not a single citizen in the country dies for want of proper medical care.

After lighting the traditional lamp on his maiden visit to the State after taking charge, the Union Minister, to everyone's surprise took the first dose of the anti-filarial drug diethyl carbamazine (DEC) tablets before mass drug administration for the talukas in Thane district which are affected by the disease.

Ramdoss said, "This is to show the country's citizens that these drugs are safe."

Among those who took the tablets were Maharashtra Health Minister Digvijay Khanvilkar and other health officials.

Ramdoss said the nationwide drive, a component of the UPA Government's common Minimum Programme, is aimed at strengthening public healthcare infrastructure, especially for the control of communicable diseases including vector borne diseases.

More than the physical suffering, in filaria, the permanent disability and social stigma was the cause of concern, he said.