Ranchi: The Jharkhand government has accelerated its efforts to eliminate tuberculosis (TB) from the state by 2029, with Health Minister Irfan Ansari calling for a mass public movement to support the mission. Addressing a two-day National Task Force (NTF) meeting under the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP) in Ranchi, the minister emphasized that TB eradication requires active participation from every section of society.
“TB elimination is not just a government programme, but it must become a people’s movement. Until every section of society participates in it, it will not be possible to eradicate this disease from its roots,” Ansari said during the event.
National Experts Discuss Strategies for TB Elimination
The national-level meeting brought together professors from medical colleges, public health experts, researchers, and policymakers representing all 35 states and Union Territories. The discussions focused on strengthening strategies for early diagnosis, treatment, and prevention to achieve India’s TB elimination goals.
Ranchi to Emerge as Medical Tourism Hub
Highlighting the state’s broader healthcare vision, Ansari announced plans to develop Ranchi into a major medical tourism destination. He also revealed that the state government is moving rapidly towards the construction of RIMS-2, which is expected to become one of Asia’s largest hospitals.
The minister further stated that the government is promoting the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based technologies across the healthcare sector to improve the quality, efficiency, and accessibility of medical services.
Special Screening Campaign Underway Across Jharkhand
National Health Mission (NHM) Jharkhand Mission Director Shashi Prakash said a dedicated campaign is being carried out to identify TB cases at an early stage. He noted that X-ray-based screening of high-risk populations is being conducted across the state to ensure timely diagnosis and treatment.
According to officials, nearly 38,500 TB patients are currently undergoing treatment in Jharkhand. Additionally, 455 panchayats have already been declared TB-free, with the government aiming to extend the status to every panchayat in the state.
India Reaffirms Commitment to TB-Free Future
The renewed push in Jharkhand comes amid the Centre’s intensified efforts to eliminate tuberculosis nationwide. Earlier this year, Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda marked World TB Day 2026 at a national event in Greater Noida and reiterated India’s commitment to achieving TB elimination in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The Jharkhand government’s latest initiatives are expected to strengthen disease surveillance, improve treatment outcomes, and accelerate progress toward a TB-free state by 2029.
