Govt Expands Intensified TB Elimination Drive, Covers All Districts: Nadda

New Delhi : Union Health Minister J P Nadda has announced that the Intensified TB Elimination Campaign will now be expanded to all the districts in the country. Earlier, the campaign was implemented in 455 selected high-priority districts. Addressing the World TB Day 2025 summit in New Delhi yesterday, Mr. Nadda said that nearly 13 crore people were screened for TB, and more than seven lakh new cases were detected during the 100 Days Intensified TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan.

The Minister noted that TB treatment coverage in India has increased from 59 per cent to 85 per cent. Mr. Nadda emphasized that the government will leave no stone unturned to eliminate TB from the country by the end of this year. He highlighted that the number of molecular diagnostic machines to detect TB in the country has increased from 121 in 2015 to 8,540 machines as of now.

Furthermore, Mr. Nadda pointed out that the global average decline rate of TB is 8.3 per cent, whereas India’s decline rate is more than double at 17.7 per cent. He stated that the world is now following India’s model in TB elimination, showcasing the country’s significant progress in combating the disease. The government’s aggressive efforts, such as active case finding, improved treatment regimens, and community-based awareness programs, have played a crucial role in accelerating TB elimination.

The Minister also lauded the role of healthcare workers, volunteers, and NGOs in supporting TB patients and ensuring timely medical intervention. He reiterated that the Pradhanmantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan has successfully engaged local communities to provide nutritional support and access to medication, thereby enhancing recovery rates.

In addition to expanding diagnostics and treatment facilities, the government has also introduced digital platforms for tracking TB cases efficiently. Mr. Nadda mentioned that AI-based tools and mobile applications are being integrated into the healthcare system to monitor patient progress and provide real-time updates to medical professionals.

Our correspondent reports that over 1.51 crore TB patients are currently receiving treatment under the Pradhanmantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan.