Panchayats And TB Champions Have A Critical Role In Further Penetration Of TB Screening Services And Awareness Generation At The Ground Level : Prataprao Jadhav.

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New Delhi, Delhi, 18th of December, 2024 : Union Ministers of State for Health and Family Welfare, Shri Prataprao Jadhav and Smt. Anupriya Patel sensitized the Members of Parliament from across party lines on the 100-day Intensified TB Elimination Campaign, at the Balayogi Auditorium, Parliament Library building, today. The MPs were informed about the campaign objectives, key activities being undertaken, and their role in supporting the campaign.

Around 250 Members of Parliament were present at the event and pledged to support campaign efforts and drive community mobilization efforts in their constituencies.

Addressing the gathering, the Union Ministers underscored the important leadership roles of the MPs in achieving the goal of TB elimination. They urged the MPs to monitor the 100 days intensified anti -TB campaign in their respective constituencies, raise awareness and reduce stigma around the disease, and mobilize the community to actively participate in the campaign.

The Union Ministers highlighted the government’s successes in reducing TB incidence since 2015, which is more than double the pace of decline observed globally. The MPs were informed about the several novel interventions that have been rolled out in the last ten years, including engagement with the private health care sector, introduction of Ni-kshay Poshan Yojana, the recent doubling of Direct Benefit Transfer support to patients, and the upgradation of diagnostic and treatment capacity of the National TB Elimination Programme. The Ministers also highlighted the central role of the 1.75 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs in taking TB care closer to patients.

Shri Prataprao Jadhav emphasized on the critical role of Panchayats and TB champions in the fight against TB. He noted the importance of further penetration of TB screening services and awareness generation at the ground level for the success of the TB elimination efforts. He encouraged the Hon’ble MPs to support these efforts in order to make it a Jan Andolan.

Smt. Patel highlighted that the Union Government’s efforts in reducing both TB incidence and mortality has been recognized in the recently published WHO Global TB Report. “India has also achieved a significant decline in mortality rate of TB patients from 28% to 22% as well as expanded TB treatment coverage by 32%”, she stated.

Union Health Secretary, Smt. Punya Salila Srivastava underscored the importance of the campaign for reducing the TB burden in the country. She also noted that the recently organized friendly cricket match between the two houses of the Parliament gave a lot of impetus to the National TB elimination mission.

The Additional Secretary and Mission Director, National Health Mission, provided an overview of the 100-day campaign which aims to reduce TB incidence and mortality due to TB in 347 priority districts across the country.

To increase detection, intensified case finding drives will be conducted using advanced screening and diagnostic technologies to reduce delays in diagnosis and treatment initiation. Parallelly, to reduce mortality due to TB, the programme will expand access to novel initiatives such as the Differentiated TB Care to provide specialised care for high-risk patients and increased nutritional support through Ni-kshay Poshan Yojana.

The MPs were informed about their role, including holding regular Ni-kshay Shivirs to monitor progress. Building on the Jan Bhagidaari approach, the MPs were encouraged to mobilize community members to undertake Ni-kshay Shapaths, urge community leaders, individuals, NGOs and corporates to become Ni-kshay Mitras. Alongside, MPs were requested to honour TB Vijaetas (TB champions) and Ni-kshay Mitras for their contributions that will further inspire collective action. Lastly, the MPs were encouraged to work with Panchayati Raj Institution members to work toward TB-free Panchayat certification, organize regular Gram Sabhas on TB, and raise community awareness while ensuring the uptake of essential TB services.

Dr Rajiv Bahl, Secretary, Department of Health Research and DG, ICMR and Dr Atul Goel, Director General for Health Services were also present at the gathering.