PM Modi Applauds Community Efforts in India’s Fight Against Tuberculosis
New Delhi: As India pushes forward with its goal to eliminate tuberculosis (TB) by 2025—five years ahead of the global target—Prime Minister Narendra Modi has praised the collective efforts of citizens in combating the disease.
“I compliment all those who are strengthening the fight against TB and contributing to a #TBMuktBharat,” PM Modi shared on social media platform X. He highlighted how the movement is gaining traction at the grassroots level, ensuring a healthier nation.
His remarks came while sharing Union Health Minister JP Nadda’s post on India’s progress in tackling TB through local and community-driven initiatives, making it a true Jan Andolan (mass movement).
Accelerating the Fight Against TB
To fast-track TB elimination, the Health Ministry launched the 100-day Intensified TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan in December last year, concluding on World TB Day, March 24. The campaign focused on 455 high-priority districts across 33 states and union territories, aiming to detect cases early, reduce mortality, and prevent new infections.
The initiative saw over 1.94 lakh awareness activities, bringing together more than 33,000 elected representatives and 22 ministries in a whole-of-society and whole-of-government approach.
Additionally, 1.05 lakh new Nikshay Mitras stepped forward to provide over 3 lakh nutrition food baskets to TB patients, supporting their recovery.
More than 13.46 lakh Nikshay Shivirs (TB screening camps) were organized nationwide, screening 12.97 crore vulnerable individuals. This proactive approach helped identify 7.19 lakh TB cases, including 2.85 lakh asymptomatic cases that might have otherwise gone undetected.
India’s Progress and Challenges in TB Elimination
Tuberculosis, a highly infectious disease that primarily affects the lungs, spreads through airborne transmission when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or spits. Despite being both preventable and curable, TB remains a major health challenge.
According to the WHO Global TB Report 2024, India has made significant strides, achieving a 17.7% decline in TB cases between 2015 and 2023—more than double the global average reduction of 8.3%. TB-related deaths have also dropped by 21.4%, from 28 per lakh in 2015 to 22 per lakh in 2023.
However, India still faces significant challenges. In 2024, the country reported 28 lakh TB cases, accounting for 26% of the global TB burden—the highest in the world. Additionally, 3.15 lakh TB-related deaths were recorded, making up 29% of global TB deaths.
With the momentum gained through community involvement and government initiatives, India remains determined to eradicate TB and build a healthier future.
News Source : “Information for this article was gathered from a variety of reliable news outlets.”
