Nationwide anti-TB drive to be launched from Panchkula today

Haryana Health Minister Arti Singh Rao has said the nationwide campaign to eliminate tuberculosis (TB) will kick off from Panchkula on December 7.

Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda will launch the initiative with Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini also scheduled to attend the event.

Rao said the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is fully committed to taking decisive action toward eradicating TB in India. The “100-Day TB Eradication Campaign” will be launched in partnership with key supporting departments to ensure effective implementation.

Focus on early detection

This initiative will be implemented in 347 districts across all 33 states and UTs, aimed at detecting TB cases early, minimising treatment delays, and improving patient outcomes, especially among high-risk populations.

The Health Minister emphasised that this campaign reaffirms the Government of India’s dedication to achieving TB elimination through enhanced TB notification and reduced mortality rates under the National TB Elimination Program (NTEP). This initiative will be implemented in 347 districts across all 33 states and union territories, aimed at detecting TB cases early, minimising treatment delays, and improving patient outcomes, especially among high-risk populations.

She underscored that this effort aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a “TB-Free India,” a goal highlighted during the 2018 “TB-Elimination” Summit in Delhi. Since then, multiple initiatives have been launched to strengthen TB prevention, diagnosis, and treatment services throughout the country.

The Health Minister further said the 100-day campaign would focus on improving critical performance indicators such as the TB case incidence rate, treatment coverage, and mortality rates. The initiative is in line with recent policy reforms by the Ministry, including increased financial support under the Nikshay Poshan Yojana for TB patients and the inclusion of household contacts under the Social Initiative Assistance component of the Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan.

The minister said the campaign would prioritize advanced TB diagnostics, targeted screening for vulnerable groups, specialised care for high-risk individuals, and the provision of additional nutritional support.