Content:
- Update on TB- Mukt Bharat Abhiyan
Update on TB- Mukt Bharat Abhiyan
Campaign Overview.
- Objective: Intensify TB case detection, early diagnosis, and treatment to achieve TB elimination goals.
- Strategy:
- Focus on early detection through mass screening and the use of advanced diagnostic tools.
- Community and private sector engagement to close the “missing” TB cases gap.
Key Achievements (as of February 22, 2025)
- Patient Notifications:
- Over 5.1 lakh TB patients notified since campaign launch.
- 455 intervention districts: Diagnosed 3.57 lakh TB patients.
- 2024 total notifications: Over 26 lakh TB patients, bridging the gap in missing TB cases.
- Private sector contribution: 36% of total notifications, reflecting improved collaboration.
- Screening and Diagnostic Efforts:
- Over 10 crore vulnerable individuals screened.
- Use of ultraportable hand-held X-ray machines facilitated door-to-door and congregate setting screenings.
- Over 38 lakh people screened using chest X-rays, detecting asymptomatic and symptomatic cases.
- Confirmation testing: Nucleic Acid Amplification Testing (NAAT) employed post-X-ray screenings.
- Ni-kshay Initiatives:
- Conducted over 10 lakh Ni-kshay Shivirs to increase accessibility to diagnostic services.
- Deployed 836 Ni-kshay Vahans to enhance reach in remote areas.
- Ni-kshay Mitras:
- 2.4 lakh individuals registered to provide nutritional, psychosocial, and vocational support.
- 2.3 lakh food baskets distributed to TB patients.
Focus on High-Risk Populations
- Priority groups for screening:
- Diabetics, smokers, alcoholics.
- People living with HIV, those with a past history of TB.
- Geriatric population and household contacts of TB patients.
- Screening included both symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals, addressing sub-clinical TB cases.
Government & Community Engagement
- Whole-of-government approach:
- Union Minister held meetings with Chief Ministers, Cabinet Ministers, and 22 ministries.
- High-level administrative officers designated to ensure cross-departmental coordination.
- Parliamentary involvement:
- Over 250 parliamentarians attended sensitization sessions for campaign awareness and support.
- Community participation through Jan Bhagidaari approach:
- Promoted Ni-kshay Shapaths encouraging citizens, NGOs, and corporates to contribute.
Innovative Strategies & Interventions
- Early Identification Tools:
- Ultraportable X-rays expedited diagnosis in rural and remote areas.
- NAAT ensured accurate and quick confirmation of TB cases.
- Accelerated Case Detection:
- Reduced diagnostic delays and enhanced early detection of drug-resistant TB cases.
- Differentiated Care:
- Focused on critical cases needing immediate care, including hospital admissions for undernourished patients.
- Preventive TB Treatment:
- Extended to vulnerable populations to curb TB transmission chains.
Outcomes & Impact
- Reduction in TB Incidence:
- Identification of asymptomatic TB cases prevented community transmission.
- Early detection and treatment contributed to lowering mortality rates.
- Private Sector Engagement:
- Sustained collaboration with private healthcare providers expanded notification coverage.
- Progress towards TB Elimination:
- Accelerated efforts bringing India closer to its 2025 TB elimination target.
Key Takeaways
- Holistic approach: Integration of government machinery, private healthcare, and community efforts.
- Technological interventions: Use of modern tools like ultraportable X-rays improved early detection.
- Strong community involvement: Ni-kshay initiatives enhanced patient support systems.
- Policy success: Increased private sector notifications reflect effective engagement strategies.
Challenges & Way Forward
- Sustaining momentum beyond the 100-day campaign.
- Ensuring treatment adherence and completion to prevent relapse and drug resistance.
- Further strengthening rural healthcare infrastructure for uninterrupted TB services.
- Expanding nutrition and psychosocial support to improve treatment outcomes.
