JP Nadda Calls For Final Push To Eliminate Tuberculosis In India

Union Health Minister JP Nadda on Friday called for intensified efforts to eliminate tuberculosis, describing the second phase of the 100-day TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan as a crucial last-mile initiative to identify every missing TB case before its conclusion in the first week of July 2026.

Chairing a high-level review meeting via video conferencing with Health Ministers and senior officials from States and Union Territories, Nadda stressed the need to reach every vulnerable individual in the fight against the disease.

The Health Minister noted that India has achieved substantial progress in reducing the burden of tuberculosis.

According to official data, the country’s TB incidence declined to 187 cases per lakh population in 2024 from 243 cases per lakh in 2014.

TB mortality has also fallen significantly, reaching 21 deaths per lakh population in 2024 compared to 34 per lakh in 2014.

Nadda said more than 28.1 crore people have undergone screening, 20 lakh individuals have received TB preventive treatment, and 5.7 lakh new Nikshay Mitras have joined intensified campaigns since December 2024.

The Union Minister commended States, Union Territories, frontline health workers, volunteers, development partners and community stakeholders for their contributions to the campaign.

Reaffirming the Centre’s commitment to eliminating tuberculosis, Nadda said the vision of a TB-Mukt Bharat, as envisaged by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, can only be achieved through sustained collective action and whole-of-society participation. He added that the mission’s success would be complete only when every State, Union Territory and district becomes TB-free.

The campaign’s second phase has organised more than 1.7 lakh Ayushman Arogya Shivirs, covering over 1.20 lakh high-risk villages, wards and congregate settings.

The campaign has also seen strong public participation, with around 32 lakh students and nearly 1.9 lakh My Bharat volunteers supporting awareness and screening activities.