Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda reaffirmed India’s strong commitment to eradicating tuberculosis (TB) while addressing the World TB Day 2025 Summit in New Delhi. Highlighting the government’s multi-pronged approach, he emphasized that India’s TB elimination strategy is built on a ‘whole of society’ and ‘whole of government’ framework.

The theme for this year’s World TB Day is “Yes! We Can End TB: Commit, Invest, Deliver,” and India’s efforts reflect this vision. Minister Nadda praised the success of the 100-Day Intensified TB Elimination Campaign, which made use of cutting-edge technologies such as handheld X-ray units and upfront Nucleic Acid Amplification Testing (NAAT). Many of these services were brought directly to underserved communities via mobile vans, known as Nikshay Vahans.

“In just 100 days, more than 13.46 lakh Nikshay Shivirs, or community screening and awareness camps, were organized across districts, bringing essential TB services to the doorsteps of crores of people,” Nadda said.

He noted a remarkable jump in TB treatment coverage in India, increasing from 59 percent to 85 percent. During the campaign, 12.97 crore people were screened, resulting in the detection of 7.19 lakh new TB cases, including approximately 2.85 lakh asymptomatic cases that would have otherwise gone unnoticed without stratified screening efforts.

Nadda announced plans to scale the campaign nationwide, ensuring it covers every district in India. “TB is not over yet, and we will intensify our efforts until we achieve a TB-Mukt Bharat,” he declared.

The campaign saw participation from more than 5,000 MLAs and 10,000 Gram Panchayats, while 22 government ministries collaborated to make it a collective mission. More than 30,000 elected representatives were mobilized, highlighting a united front against the disease.

Minister Nadda also shared that over 1,05,181 new Ni-kshay Mitras registered during the campaign, collectively distributing more than 3,06,368 food baskets to TB patients and their families.

The campaign’s strategy focused on vulnerable populations, including asymptomatic individuals, household contacts of TB patients, undernourished individuals, and those with chronic comorbidities like diabetes and HIV. “The use of modern technology helped improve case detection, reduce diagnostic delays, and ensure timely treatment, particularly for these at-risk groups,” Nadda added.

He further highlighted India’s leadership in TB research, praising the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) for innovations such as repurposing RT-PCR machines for TB screening and developing indigenous diagnostic kits capable of conducting 32 tests at once. The use of handheld X-ray machines supported by artificial intelligence has also been instrumental in detecting asymptomatic TB cases.

Nadda concluded by acknowledging the crucial role of elected representatives, community leaders, MPs, MLAs, Gram Pradhans, and local leades in fostering community ownership and raising awareness.

Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava echoed the minister’s sentiments, emphasizing that “World TB Day reminds us that while TB still exists, we have the power to eliminate it.” She urged all stakeholders to continue their concerted efforts until India achieves the goal of TB Mukt Bharat.

On the occasion, a digital Coffee Table Book on the TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan was unveiled, capturing the campaign’s implementation through powerful field visuals. Additionally, the Health Minister launched a ‘Guidance Document on Differentiated TB Care’ to ensure focused and timely care for high-risk patients, providing triage protocols and comprehensive treatment plans for those suffering from severe undernutrition or respiratory insufficiency.