India Expands TB Elimination Campaign Nationwide

Union Health Minister J P Nadda announced the nationwide expansion of India's TB elimination campaign. Launched last December, the initiative has employed advanced technology, identifying over 7.19 lakh TB cases and improving treatment coverage to 85%. The government aims for a TB-free India through innovative strategies and broad societal involvement.

In a significant healthcare announcement, Union Health Minister J P Nadda declared the nationwide expansion of India's tuberculosis (TB) elimination campaign. Initially launched on December 7, the 100-Day Intensified TB Elimination Campaign covered 445 districts and has been remarkably successful in identifying new TB cases.

The recent World TB Day 2025 Summit highlighted that the campaign, employing cutting-edge technology such as handheld X-ray units and mobile vans equipped with Nucleic Acid Amplification Testing (NAAT), has led to the notification of 7.19 lakh new TB cases. This includes 2.85 lakh asymptomatic cases discovered through a stratified screening strategy, pivotal for reaching underserved communities.

Nadda praised the collective effort of over 22 ministries, 30,000 elected representatives, and numerous community programs that facilitated TB services. India's TB treatment coverage has surged from 59% to 85%, and the minister reaffirmed the commitment to a TB-free nation through continuous innovation and investment in healthcare resources.

(With inputs from agencies.)