India Strengthens Commitment to TB Elimination at World TB Day 2025 Summit

New Delhi: Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Jagat Prakash Nadda, reaffirmed India’s unwavering commitment to achieving a TB-Mukt Bharat while addressing the World TB Day 2025 summit. The theme for this year’s summit, “Yes! We Can End TB: Commit, Invest, Deliver,” emphasized a collective approach towards eradicating tuberculosis. Nadda highlighted that India’s TB elimination strategy is based on a ‘whole of society’ and ‘whole of government’ approach, ensuring a multi-sectoral and community-driven mission to combat the disease.

Presiding over the summit, the Union Minister lauded the success of the 100 Days Intensified TB Elimination campaign, which deployed cutting-edge technologies such as handheld X-ray units and upfront Nucleic Acid Amplification Testing (NAAT). Some of these technologies were mobilized through Nikshay Vahans, allowing essential screening and diagnostic services to reach remote and underserved regions. He noted that over 13.46 lakh Nikshay Shivirs, or community screening and awareness camps, were organized across the country, directly delivering TB services to millions.

Nadda emphasized the remarkable progress India has made in TB treatment coverage, which has increased from 59% to 85%. Over 12.97 crore individuals were screened for TB, leading to the detection of 7.19 lakh new cases. Among the notified cases, approximately 2.85 lakh were asymptomatic and may have gone undetected without the campaign’s strategic screening approach. More than 5,000 MLAs and 10,000 Gram Panchayats actively participated, reinforcing the campaign’s grassroots reach. Building on this success, he announced plans to expand the campaign nationwide, ensuring that every district in India is covered in the next phase of the TB elimination drive.

Highlighting the unprecedented support for TB elimination, Nadda stated that 22 line ministries backed the 100-day campaign, and more than 30,000 elected representatives were mobilized. He informed that within just 100 days, over 1,05,181 new Ni-kshay Mitras registered and distributed more than 3,06,368 food baskets to TB patients and their families, demonstrating a strong community-driven effort.

Nadda underscored the role of modern technology in improving TB case detection, reducing diagnostic delays, and ensuring timely treatment initiation, particularly among vulnerable populations. The campaign specifically targeted high-risk groups, including household contacts of TB patients, individuals with a history of TB, undernourished individuals, and those with chronic comorbidities such as diabetes and HIV. He also highlighted India’s leadership in TB research, acknowledging ICMR’s significant contributions. Innovations such as RT-PCR machines, initially used for COVID-19 detection, have been adapted for TB screening. Additionally, indigenous diagnostic kits developed by ICMR have reduced costs while improving efficiency by conducting multiple tests simultaneously. He emphasized that AI-supported handheld X-ray machines have played a crucial role in detecting asymptomatic TB cases, further strengthening India’s diagnostic capabilities.

In his concluding remarks, Nadda expressed gratitude for the support of elected representatives and community leaders, including MPs, MLAs, Gram Pradhans, and local leaders. Their active involvement, he noted, has fostered a sense of ownership and accountability within communities, making TB elimination a shared responsibility. He reiterated that India’s fight against TB is far from over and urged continuous efforts to achieve the goal of TB Mukt Bharat.

Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava emphasized that World TB Day serves as a reminder that the disease persists and must be eradicated. She acknowledged the relentless efforts of stakeholders and urged them to continue working towards the goal of eliminating TB. A digital Coffee Table Book on TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan was unveiled at the event, capturing the campaign’s implementation through field photographs. Additionally, the Union Health Minister launched a ‘Guidance Document on Differentiated TB Care,’ which outlines strategies for prioritizing high-risk patients and ensuring timely and effective treatment.

States and Union Territories were recognized for their outstanding performance in the 100 Days Intensified TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan and the TB Mukt Gram Panchayat Initiative. The summit witnessed participation from senior officials, including Dr. Rajiv Bahl, Secretary, Department of Health Research and DG, ICMR; Dr. Atul Goel, Director General of Health Services (DGHS); Aradhana Patnaik, Additional Secretary and Mission Director, National Health Mission, along with NTEP staff, TB Champions, District Magistrates, Medical Institutions, WHO Consultants, and other development partners. Their collective commitment underscored India’s relentless pursuit of a TB-free future.