NEW DELHI: Reaffirming India’s commitment to eliminate TB from India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday lauded recent innovations in the country’s TB elimination strategy, which enable shorter treatment, faster diagnosis and better nutrition for TB patients.
Chairing a high-level review meeting on the National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP) at his 7, Lok Kalyan Marg residence, prime minister praised the significant progress made in early detection and treatment of TB patients in 2024.
He called for scaling up successful strategies nationwide, and reaffirming India’s commitment to eliminating TB from India.
India aims to eliminate TB by 2025, five years ahead of the global target.
Posting on X, the prime minister said, “Chaired a meeting on India’s mission to eliminate TB. Driven by active public participation, the movement has gained significant momentum over the last few years. Our government remains committed to working closely with all stakeholders to realise the vision of a TB-free India.”
In the meeting, he reviewed the recently concluded 100-Day TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan, covering high-focus districts where 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.
In the meeting, which was attended by Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda, Principal Secretary to PM Dr. PK Mishra, Principal Secretary-2 to PM Shaktikanta Das, Adviser to PM Amit Khare, Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava and other senior officials, Modi stressed the need to analyse the trends of TB patients based on urban or rural areas and also based on their occupations.
“This will help identify groups that need early testing and treatment, especially workers in construction, mining, textile mills, and similar fields,” according to a statement issued by the Union Health Ministry.
“As technology in healthcare improves, Nikshay Mitras (supporters of TB patients) should be encouraged to use technology to connect with TB patients. They can help patients understand the disease and its treatment using interactive and easy-to-use technology,” the statement said.
The Prime Minister said that since TB is now curable with regular treatment, there should be less fear and more awareness among the public.
He 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.
During the meeting, Prime Minister noted the encouraging findings of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Global TB Report 2024, which affirmed an 18% reduction in TB incidence (from 237 to 195 per lakh population between 2015 and 2023), which is double the global pace; 21% decline in TB mortality (from 28 to 22 per lakh population) and 85% treatment coverage, reflecting the programme’s growing reach and effectiveness.
He also 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; over 26,700 X-ray units, including 500 AI-enabled handheld X-ray devices, with another 1,000 in the pipeline.
“The decentralisation of all TB services including free screening, diagnosis, treatment and nutrition support at Ayushman Arogya Mandirs was also highlighted,” the statement said.
Prime Minister was apprised of introduction of several new initiatives such as AI driven hand-held X-rays for screening, shorter treatment regimen for drug resistant TB, newer indigenous molecular diagnostics, nutrition interventions and screening and early detection in congregate settings like mines, tea garden, construction sites, urban slums, etc. including nutrition initiatives; Ni-kshay Poshan Yojana DBT payments to 1.28 crore TB patients since 2018 and enhancement of the incentive to Rs. 1,000 in 2024.
Under the Ni-kshay Mitra Initiative, 29.4 lakh food baskets have been distributed by 2.55 lakh Ni-kshay Mitras, the ministry said.