Union minister for health and family welfare, J P Nadda today launched a nationwide campaign aimed at TB Free India and urged for support from all stakeholders to this initiative.

On this occasion, the minister along with representatives from The Union, World Health Organisation, USAID – US Agency for International Development, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, World Bank, The Global Fund, Tuberculosis Association of India, Indian Medical Association, Indian Association of Paediatrics among many others pledged their support to the national campaign.

The call to action to end TB in India is a part of the global initiative “Challenge TB” led internationally by USAID and aligns with the Government of India’s vision of a TB free India. The ‘TB Free India’ echoes the sentiments of the WHO’s ‘End TB Strategy’ and the country is now gearing up to intensify its TB control efforts through innovative policies and strategies.

The Government is committed to end TB from the country and realise the dream of TB free India where all patients will receive accurate diagnosis, appropriate treatment and complete care. He also highlighted the need of innovation which is required for TB care. He also urged all stakeholders to unite in the fight against TB and this Call to Action is such a kind of platform. He also announced the launch of a Missed Call Campaign , massive media campaign and special strategy for addressing key populations said health minister Nadda.

Our primary challenge is diagnosis. The Indian patient urgently needs quick and accurate diagnosis of TB. I also want every single case to be tested for drug resistance at the earliest possible. I believe this is far more cost effective than testing them later when cases have become extensively drug resistant, said Jagdish Prasad, DGHS, MoHFW.

According to Anshu Prakash, Joint Secretary, MoHFW, activities under this challenge TB work plan will be designed to develop a Call to Action to End TB as the vehicle for mobilizing all relevant sectors of Indian society, developing new policies and partnerships that support TB control efforts, and increasing domestic resources for TB control activities on a large scale.

Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP) has made significant achievements since inception. However, there are challenges to reach vulnerable key populations, which can reach through partnerships and community engagement, said Dr Sunil D. Khaparde, DDG TB – CTD.

Commenting on the initiative, Jose Luis Castro, executive director, The Union said that initiative has a two-fold objection. One is to mobilize stakeholders to demand and sustain high-level domestic commitment to end TB in India. The second is to drive political, administrative, and technical solutions to specific barriers affecting TB control in India.