Officials assess progress of TB detection drive
The Health Department has launched a 100-day TB campaign to enhance efforts in identifying, treating, and preventing tuberculosis. The initiative focuses on early detection, comprehensive medical support, and increased community participation to curb the spread of the disease.
Civil Surgeon Dr Pradeep Kumar Mohindra emphasised the critical role of early diagnosis, timely treatment, and community awareness in controlling TB. He reiterated that proactive measures and public participation are essential to eradicating the infectious disease.
As part of the initiative, Suresh Babu, State Monitoring and Evaluation Officer of TB Alert India, visited Ludhiana to assess the campaign’s progress. During his visit, he engaged in discussions with the Civil Surgeon regarding the ongoing efforts and reviewed the work.
A TB survivor shared his journey to recovery, highlighting the critical role of proper medication, quality healthcare, and social support. These real-life success stories serve as powerful motivators for patients currently undergoing treatment and play a crucial role in dispelling myths surrounding the disease.
Commending the relentless efforts of local health workers and the TB control team, Suresh Babu praised their dedication in making the campaign a success. He reaffirmed TB Alert India’s commitment to collaborating with health authorities to enhance the campaign’s effectiveness and expand its reach.
Dr Pradeep Kumar urged the community to actively participate in screening and treatment initiatives, stressing that early detection is vital for eradicating TB. He emphasised the importance of collective responsibility in ensuring the campaign’s success and sustaining its momentum through awareness programmes. “This isn’t just about diagnosing patients who show symptoms; it’s about finding those hidden cases who would otherwise remain undetected by using chest X-rays, enhanced with AI, an effective method for screening individuals who may have TB but may not have the classical symptoms of TB,” said Dr Mohindra.
Launched on December 7, 2024, the 100-day intensified TB elimination campaign spans 455 districts across 33 states and Union Territories, targeting high-risk groups, including diabetics, smokers, alcoholics, people living with HIV, the elderly, and household contacts of TB patients. In addition to screening symptomatic individuals, the campaign aims to detect subclinical or asymptomatic TB using chest X-rays followed by molecular tests for confirmation.
