Nadda Calls On MPs To Strengthen Grassroots Push For TB-Free India

Union Health Minister JP Nadda on Wednesday briefed Members of Parliament on the government’s TB-Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan, urging representatives from all parties to step up public engagement and help accelerate India’s fight against tuberculosis.

During the first in a planned series of meetings, this one focused largely on MPs from Uttar Pradesh.

Nadda emphasised that elected representatives have a central role in advancing the country’s TB elimination goals.

Lawmakers remain updated on the campaign’s aims, ongoing initiatives and the ways they can support progress in their constituencies.

Nadda encouraged MPs to track local implementation, promote awareness, counter stigma surrounding the disease and inspire community participation. He also pointed to improvements India has made over recent years.

According to the World Health Organisation’s Global TB Report 2025, India’s annual TB incidence has dropped by 21 per cent, from 237 cases per lakh in 2015 to 187 per lakh in 2024, nearly twice the rate of decline seen globally.

TB-related deaths have also fallen, from 28 per lakh in 2015 to 21 per lakh in 2024.

The session highlighted innovations adopted in the past decade, including AI-supported portable chest X-ray devices, Truenat diagnostic machines, shorter treatment courses, and expanded access to care through Ayushman Arogya Mandirs.

Community-led engagement models were also presented as key contributors to progress.

Nadda said deeper screening coverage and local-level awareness remain essential, urging MPs to help turn the campaign into a broad public movement.

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