PM Modi calls for nationwide strategies to eliminate TB from India

NEW DELHI (INDIA): Prime Minister Narendra Modi today chaired a high-level review meeting on the National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP) at his residence in New Delhi.

Lauding the significant progress made in early detection and treatment of TB patients in 2024, the Prime Minister called for scaling up successful strategies nationwide, reaffirming India’s commitment to eliminate TB from India.

Prime Minister reviewed the recently concluded 100-Day TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan covering high-focus districts wherein 12.97 crore vulnerable individuals were screened; 7.19 lakh TB cases detected, including 2.85 lakh asymptomatic TB cases. Over one lakh new Ni-kshay Mitras joined the effort during the campaign, which has been a model for Jan Bhagidari that can be accelerated and scaled across the country to drive a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach.

During the meeting, Prime Minister stressed the need to analyse the trends of TB patients based on urban or rural areas and also based on their occupations. He said that this will help identify groups that need early testing and treatment, especially workers in construction, mining, textile mills, and similar fields.

Prime Minister highlighted the importance of cleanliness through Jan Bhagidari as a key step in eliminating TB. He urged efforts to personally reach out to each patient to ensure they get proper treatment.

In the meeting, Prime Minister noted the encouraging findings of the WHO Global TB Report 2024, which affirmed an 18 pecent reduction in TB incidence, which has come down from 237 to 195 per lakh population between 2015 and 2023. The report stated that 21 percent decline in TB mortality and 85 percent treatment coverage has been witnessed, which reflects the programme’s growing reach and effectiveness.

Prime Minister reviewed key infrastructure enhancements, including expansion of the TB diagnostic network to 8,540 NAAT (Nucleic Acid Amplification Testing) labs and 87 culture and drug susceptibility labs. 

The meeting was attended by Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda, Principal Secretary to Prime Minister Dr. P. K. Mishra and other senior officials.

Source: AIR