New Delhi: The Union Health Ministry today engaged Members of Parliament (MPs) from both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha on the 100-day Intensified TB Elimination Campaign at the Balayogi Auditorium, Parliament Library building. The initiative aims to accelerate the fight against tuberculosis (TB) with robust community mobilization and awareness efforts.
Union Ministers of State for Health and Family Welfare, Shri Prataprao Jadhav and Smt. Anupriya Patel, addressed around 250 MPs from various political parties. They emphasized the crucial role MPs can play in the campaign by driving grassroots efforts, reducing stigma, and mobilizing their constituencies toward TB elimination.
Key Highlights from the Event
- Leadership Roles: MPs were encouraged to oversee the campaign in their constituencies, promote TB awareness, and foster community involvement for a successful Jan Andolan (people’s movement).
- Government Initiatives: The Ministers showcased India’s achievements in reducing TB incidence at a rate over twice the global average since 2015. They outlined key interventions such as engagement with private healthcare, the Ni-kshay Poshan Yojana for nutritional support, doubling of Direct Benefit Transfers, and enhanced diagnostic and treatment facilities under the National TB Elimination Programme.
- Ayushman Arogya Mandirs: The 1.75 lakh centers were highlighted as pivotal in making TB care accessible to patients across the nation.
Shri Jadhav emphasized the importance of leveraging Panchayats and TB champions to enhance ground-level TB screening services and awareness campaigns. Smt. Patel lauded India’s recognition in the WHO Global TB Report, highlighting the decline in TB mortality from 28% to 22% and the 32% expansion in treatment coverage.
Campaign Goals
The 100-day drive focuses on 347 priority districts with a twofold approach:
- Detection: Intensified case-finding using advanced diagnostic technologies to expedite treatment.
- Mortality Reduction: Expanding initiatives like Differentiated TB Care for high-risk patients and scaling up nutritional support under Ni-kshay Poshan Yojana.
MPs’ Role in TB Eradication
The campaign urged MPs to:
- Organize Ni-kshay Shivirs and Gram Sabhas to raise awareness.
- Motivate community leaders, NGOs, and corporates to join as Ni-kshay Mitras.
- Honor TB Vijaetas (TB survivors) and Ni-kshay Mitras to inspire action.
- Collaborate with Panchayati Raj Institutions to certify TB-free Panchayats.
Union Health Secretary Smt. Punya Salila Srivastava emphasized the significance of community participation, noting that recent initiatives like the Parliament-friendly cricket match had already boosted awareness.
Other dignitaries, including Dr. Rajiv Bahl, Secretary of Health Research and DG, ICMR, and Dr. Atul Goel, DG for Health Services, were also present, reinforcing the government’s commitment to a TB-free India.
