India Showcases Large-Scale TB Screening and Digital Innovations at WHO Event
Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare Jagat Prakash Nadda addressed a high-level side event on “Ministerial Perspectives on Lung Health Screening” during the 79th Session of the World Health Assembly in Geneva, highlighting India’s aggressive push toward early detection and elimination of tuberculosis (TB).
The event, titled “Does Your Health System Struggle with Lung Health Screening?”, was organized by the Stop TB Partnership and co-hosted by India, Japan, the Philippines and Zambia.
Addressing global health leaders and policymakers, Shri Nadda emphasized that timely screening, early diagnosis and equitable access to healthcare are essential pillars of resilient and people-centric health systems. He stated that strengthening lung health screening is not only about advanced technology but also about saving lives, reducing suffering, preventing catastrophic healthcare expenditure and protecting livelihoods.
India Expands TB Screening Through Door-to-Door Campaigns
Highlighting India’s commitment under the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme and the vision of “TB-Mukt Bharat”, the Union Health Minister said India has undertaken one of the world’s largest screening and early detection drives for tuberculosis.
He noted that the country has expanded active case finding among vulnerable populations through house-to-house outreach, mobile screening teams, community campaigns and targeted drives in high-risk regions.
According to Shri Nadda, India has significantly strengthened modern diagnostic infrastructure to detect TB and other lung diseases. The government has scaled up molecular testing platforms, digital chest X-ray services, AI-assisted interpretation tools, handheld screening devices and decentralized testing systems, especially in remote and underserved areas.
He stressed that innovation in healthcare must promote equity and reach the last mile.
Ayushman Bharat and Frontline Workers Strengthening Community Healthcare
The Health Minister also underlined the importance of primary healthcare reforms under Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centres and praised the role of frontline healthcare workers in improving access to medical services across communities.
He said diagnosis alone is not enough and highlighted the need for nutritional support, treatment adherence assistance, social protection and community participation for TB patients.
Under the TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan, India has mobilized citizens, institutions, corporates and local communities to support TB patients and their families.
AI-Powered ‘Khushi’ Chatbot to Support TB Patients
Speaking about India’s digital health initiatives, Shri Nadda revealed that the Health Ministry has launched the TB Mukt Bharat App featuring “Khushi”, an AI-enabled multilingual chatbot accessible even on entry-level smartphones.
The chatbot offers real-time guidance on TB symptoms, patient entitlements and nearby diagnostic facilities, helping bridge the gap between symptom onset and timely treatment.
India Calls for Global Collaboration on Lung Health
Calling for stronger international cooperation, Shri Nadda proposed several global priorities for improving lung health screening systems. These include integrating lung health into Universal Health Coverage frameworks, expanding affordable access to diagnostics and digital tools, strengthening primary healthcare systems, promoting innovation and domestic manufacturing, and ensuring sustainable financing for TB prevention and early detection.
Reaffirming India’s commitment to eliminating tuberculosis ahead of global targets, he said the fight against TB can become a pathway to stronger healthcare systems, improved diagnostics, cleaner environments, better nutrition and more equitable societies.
He urged the global community to move from delayed diagnosis to early detection, from fragmented healthcare programmes to integrated care systems, and from disease control to comprehensive health system transformation.
Concluding his address, Shri Nadda reiterated India’s readiness to collaborate with governments, innovators, development partners and communities worldwide to advance scalable and practical solutions for lung health screening.
