India Launches 100-Day TB Elimination Campaign
On December 7, 2024, India will embark on a significant initiative to combat tuberculosis (TB), a disease that continues to impact millions across the country. The Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda, will officially launch the 100-Day TB Elimination Campaign in Panchkula, Haryana. This campaign aims to enhance the fight against TB by improving case detection, reducing diagnostic delays, and improving treatment outcomes, especially for vulnerable populations. Covering 347 districts across 33 states and union territories, this campaign is a vital part of India’s strategy to eliminate TB and create a TB-free nation.
The National TB Elimination Programme: A Vision for a TB-Free India
The 100-Day Campaign is part of the National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP), which operates under the National Health Mission (NHM). This program aligns with the National Strategic Plan (NSP) for TB Elimination 2017–2025. The NSP focuses on reducing TB incidence, enhancing diagnostic and treatment capabilities, and addressing the socio-economic impacts of the disease. Prime Minister Narendra Modi set a bold vision for a TB-free India during the 2018 End TB Summit, pledging to achieve this goal by 2025.
Significant progress has already been made under the NTEP. The TB incidence rate has decreased by 17.7%, from 237 per 100,000 in 2015 to 195 per 100,000 in 2023. Additionally, TB-related deaths have declined by 21.4%, from 28 per lakh population in 2015 to 22 per lakh population in 2023. The past five years have seen consistent progress in TB case notifications, with nearly 1.89 crore sputum smear tests and 68.3 lakh nucleic acid amplification tests conducted in 2023.
Post-COVID-19, India has intensified its efforts to eliminate TB through NTEP, which continues to align with the NSP. The program has introduced comprehensive care packages and decentralized TB services, including broader access to shorter oral regimens for drug-resistant TB (DR-TB) patients. This approach minimizes treatment delays and improves care quality, especially for individuals with co-existing health conditions like malnutrition, diabetes, HIV, and substance abuse.
Enhancing Diagnostics and Treatment for High-Risk Populations
A key focus of the 100-Day TB Elimination Campaign will be strengthening diagnostics and treatment services for vulnerable groups. These groups include people living in remote areas, marginalized communities, and individuals with co-morbidities such as diabetes, HIV, and malnutrition. The campaign will target high-burden areas with specialized strategies designed to improve access to advanced diagnostics and reduce delays in treatment initiation.
The campaign will utilize existing health infrastructure, including the extensive network of Ayushman Aarogya Mandirs, which have been crucial in delivering TB services at the grassroots level. Screening efforts will concentrate on high-risk groups, and specialized care packages will be rolled out for individuals facing additional health challenges. The initiative will also expand nutritional support through the Ni-kshay Poshan Yojana, which provides financial aid to TB patients for better nutrition.
Furthermore, the government has integrated the social support initiative Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (PMTBMBA) to ensure that household contacts of TB patients receive comprehensive care and support. This multi-faceted approach aims to create a supportive environment for TB patients, enhancing their treatment outcomes and overall well-being.
Strategic Interventions to Combat TB Disparities
The National Tuberculosis Elimination Program (NTEP) is central to a broader strategy aimed at addressing disparities in TB outcomes across India. Key interventions include improving case detection, reducing diagnostic delays, and enhancing treatment outcomes, particularly for vulnerable communities. These efforts are designed to strengthen the NTEP and ensure a more equitable and effective approach to eliminating TB nationwide.
The campaign is expected to improve key performance indicators such as TB incidence, diagnostic coverage, and mortality rates. By focusing on high-risk populations and employing targeted strategies, India aims to bring itself closer to the goal of eliminating TB. The commitment to these interventions reflects a broader vision of health equity and social justice, ensuring that all individuals, regardless of their socio-economic status, have access to quality healthcare.
Financial Support and Community Engagement: Empowering the Fight Against TB
India’s commitment to TB elimination extends beyond medical interventions. Through the Ni-kshay Poshan Yojana, the government has disbursed nearly Rs. 2,781 crores in direct benefit transfers to support 1 crore beneficiaries. New initiatives will also focus on incentivizing treatment supporters, including ASHA workers, TB champions (Vijetas), and family caregivers under the Ni-kshay SAATHI model. This support network ensures that patients receive continuous care, both medically and emotionally.
The launch of PMTBMBA in 2022 marked a turning point in the fight against TB by encouraging widespread community involvement. Over 1.5 lakh Ni-kshay Mitras (community supporters) have joined the effort to assist those affected by TB. Political leaders, government officials, and NGOs have actively participated in awareness campaigns, reflecting a collective effort to end TB at the grassroots level.
India’s approach to eliminating TB is not just a national endeavor; it aligns with global goals. As a signatory to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), India is committed to ending TB by 2025, five years ahead of the SDG deadline of 2030. This commitment is further demonstrated by India’s support for international declarations, such as the Gandhinagar Declaration, signed by health ministers of the WHO South-East Asia Region in August 2023.
The Road Ahead: Ending TB by 2025
The 100-Day TB Elimination Campaign represents a crucial milestone in India’s journey toward a TB-free nation. By enhancing diagnostics, treatment, and support services, particularly for high-risk groups, India is setting the stage for a comprehensive approach to end TB by 2025. With continued political will, community engagement, and international cooperation, the dream of a TB-Mukt Bharat—an India free from tuberculosis—is within reach.
This commitment reflects a broader vision of health equity, social justice, and sustainable development. As India takes decisive action in the fight against TB, it sets an example for the world, demonstrating that through collaboration, innovation, and determination, global health challenges can be overcome.
Observer Voice is the one stop site for National, International news, Editor’s Choice, Art/culture contents, Quotes and much more. We also cover historical contents. Historical contents includes World History, Indian History, and what happened today. The website also covers Entertainment across the India and World.