New Delhi: In a significant milestone for India’s fight against tuberculosis (TB), the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has announced the detection of over five lakh TB cases during its 100-day TB elimination campaign. The campaign, which spanned 455 districts across the country, resulted in the diagnosis of more than 3.57 lakh TB patients.
The Ministry also reported that as part of the intensified case detection efforts, over 10 crore vulnerable individuals were screened, reducing diagnostic delays, identifying drug-resistant cases early, and improving treatment outcomes.
As part of the initiative, 10 lakh Ni-kshay Shivirs were organized, bringing modern TB diagnostic tools closer to people’s homes, especially in remote areas. To further extend the reach of TB services, 836 Ni-kshay Vahans were deployed, ensuring that even the most remote regions received coverage.
A key feature of the campaign has been the participation of community members through the Ni-kshay Mitra initiative. Over 240,000 Ni-kshay Mitras have registered through Ni-kshay Shapaths, pledging to support TB patients with essential resources, including nutritional baskets and psychosocial and vocational assistance. So far, over 230,000 food baskets have been distributed to patients.
In addition to these efforts, the campaign introduced a new strategy for the early identification of TB. As part of this initiative, chest X-rays have been used as a screening tool for individuals at higher risk of developing TB. More than 38 lakh people have been screened using chest X-rays, including many who showed no typical symptoms of the disease.
These comprehensive measures reflect the government’s commitment to achieving TB elimination in India and improving health outcomes for those affected by the disease.
