Kangra has highest number of TB cases

With total 2,322 notified cases, Kangra district has the maximum tuberculosis (TB) disease burden in the state. This was revealed by the National State TB Cell during a media engagement session held here yesterday.

During the session, it was revealed that Mandi has 2,055 total notified disease cases, Shimla-1,405 cases, Kullu-1,270 cases, Chamba-1,094 cases, Sirmaur-989 cases, Bilaspur-668 cases, Hamirpur-666 cases, Kinnaur-127 cases and Lahaul and Spiti has 52 cases.

It was also revealed that the state has recorded 610 deaths due to TB in the year 2024 (till September 30), besides recording 13,104 TB cases. In 2023, total deaths reported due to TB in the state were 904, while 15,643 cases were notified.

In order to make a TB-free state, various initiatives are being taken by the government, including the initiation of active case finding campaign that is conducted every Sunday by ASHA workers and a multi-sectoral engagement approach under which 27 line departments were sensitised to support National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP).

Similarly, engagement of chemists as well as engagement with Central University of Himachal Pradesh, social media campaigns for engaging elected representatives, celebrities and influencers in TB awareness programme has also been adopted by the state government.

The programme has been a success as Himachal is the top performing state from the past four years and has received bronze medal from the Central Government for achieving 20 per cent reduction in TB cases. Around eight districts of the state have been conferred with silver medal for witnessing 40 per cent reduction in TB cases. Similarly, four districts of the state have also been awarded with bronze medal for achieving 20 per cent reductions in TB cases.