By TIOL News Service

NEW DELHI, DEC 23, 2024: UNION Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Jagat Prakash Nadda, held a meeting with Chief Ministers/LGs and State Health Ministers of States/UTs, requesting their support toward the ongoing 100-day Intensified TB Elimination Campaign via video conference, here on Saturday. Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Prataprao Jadhav joined the meeting virtually. The Chief Ministers/LGs and Health Ministers were provided an overview of the campaign, its objectives, the key strategic activities being undertaken, and the role of states/UTs in ensuring the successful implementation of the campaign. 

State Ministers who were present in the meeting included Yogi Adityanath, Chief Minister, Uttar Pradesh; Dr Mohan Yadav, Chief Minister, Madhya Pradesh; Bhupendra Patel, Chief Minister, Gujarat; Bhajan Lal Sharma, Chief Minister, Rajasthan; ManikSaha, Chief Minister, Tripura; Pushkar Singh Dhami, Chief Minister, Uttrakhand; Satya Kumar Yadav, Health Minister (Andhra Pradesh); Biyuram Wahge, Health Minister (Arunachal Pradesh); Ashok Singhal, Health Minister (Assam); Arti Rao, Health Minister (Haryana); SakeenaItoo, Health Minister (Jammu & Kashmir); Dr. (Col.) Dhani Ram Shandil, Health Minister (Himachal Pradesh); Vishwajit P. Rane, Health Minister (Goa); Dinesh Gundu Rao, Health Minister (Karnataka); P. Paiwang Konyak, Health Minster (Nagaland); Dr. Mukesh Mahaling, Health Minister (Odisha); Dr. Balbir Singh, Health Minister (Punjab); Veena George, Health Minister (Kerala); Ma. Subramanian, Health Minister (Tamil Nadu); Irfan Ansari, Health Minister (Jharkhand); Damodar Rajanarasimha, Health Minister (Telangana); Mazel Ampareen Lyngdoh, Health Minister (Meghalaya); P Lalrinpuii, Health Minister (Mizoram) and Ramakant Goswami, Labour Minister (Delhi);

Nadda urged the States/UTs to monitor the campaign at the state level and ensure the same is done by the political and administrative leadership at the district levels. He suggested that to ensure a whole-of-government approach, other ministries and departments can be roped in to support campaign activities in the spirit of Jan Bhagidari, similar to the approach taken at the national level. He also requested the Chief Ministers to involve elected representatives, especially Members of Legislative Assemblies and Councils, as well as Panchayati Raj Institutions and encourage their active participation to help mobilize communities.

Nadda highlighted that the rate of TB decline in India from 2015 to 2024 is 17.7% which is double that of the global average of 8.3%. He also informed that deaths due to TB have reduced significantly in India by 21.4% in the last 10 years.

Crediting the state ministers for the achievements made towards TB eradication,the Union Minister thanked them for their support towards the campaign. He highlighted the importance of test, track and diagnostics for active TB testing, screening and diagnosis of patients and urged the dignitaries to actively monitor the campaign in the identified districts in their respective states. Underlining the support that state ministers can provide on the TB campaign, he requested them to promote the campaign in their meetings and rallies and also urged them to come forward as Ni-Kshay Mitras to adopt TB patients.

The Union Health Minister noted that states already have nearly two months stock of TB medicines and stated that the Centre is working towards ensuring advance stock of at least 6 months of TB medicines available in the states. He concluded his address by encouraging all the stakeholders to reiterate their commitment to end TB.

An overview of the 100-day campaign which aims to reduce TB incidence and mortality due to TB in 347 priority districts across the country was presented at the event. It was informed that to increase detection, intensified case finding drives will be conducted using advanced screening and diagnostic technologies to reduce delays in diagnosis and treatment initiation. Parallelly, to reduce mortality due to TB, the programme will expand access to novel initiatives such as the Differentiated TB Care to provide specialised care for high-risk patients and increased nutritional support through Ni-kshay Poshan Yojana.

The State Ministers were also informed about the various community mobilization activities that should be undertaken during the campaign, including over 80,000 Ni-kshay Shivirs to monitor progress. Building on the Jan Bhagidaari approach, the campaign aims to mobilize community members to undertake Ni-kshay Shapaths, urge community leaders, individuals, NGOs and corporates to become Ni-kshay Mitras. Alongside, TB Vijaetas (TB champions) and Ni-kshay Mitras will be recognized for their contributions that will further inspire collective action. Lastly, involvement of Panchayati Raj Institution members will be critical and regular Gram Sabhas on TB will be organized to raise community awareness while ensuring the uptake of essential TB services.

The Chief Ministers expressed their appreciation for the Union Government's intensified efforts in the TB campaign and pledged their support toward achieving the goal of TB elimination. The Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh shared details about the state's Jan Jagrukta Abhiyan, aimed at raising awareness about TB, and highlighted its leadership role in providing food baskets to TB patients. Chief Ministers from Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh also discussed their progress in enhancing TB testing and screening services. The dignitaries further shared their experiences with the TB campaign and offered valuable feedback and suggestions.

Background:

Since the launch of the campaign, a total of 53 lakh vulnerable individuals have been screened. Out of these, 2.21 lakh individuals have been tested, leading to the diagnosis of 22,178 new patients. Through the Nikshay Poshan Yojana, 17,621 beneficiaries have received Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT), and in total, 16 lakh beneficiaries have been paid 416 crore rupees in the year. Additionally, 1,630 new Ni-kshay Mitras were registered, collectively adopting over 12,000 patients during the campaign period. Cumulatively, 1.8 lakh Ni-kshay Mitras have adopted 8.63 lakh patients. During the campaign, 13,066 food baskets were distributed, and a total of 22 lakh food baskets have been distributed cumulatively.

Punya Salila Srivastava, Union Health Secretary; Aradhana Patnaik, Addl. Secretary, Union Health Ministry; senior officers of the Union Health Ministry and Mission Directors (NHM) from states were present on the occasion.