India’s Strategic 100-Day TB Campaign: TB- Mukt Bharat

On 7th December 2024, Union Minister of Health Shri J.P. Nadda will launch India’s 100-Day Tuberculosis (TB) Elimination Campaign in Panchkula, Haryana. This initiative aims to eliminate TB by 2025, ahead of the global target of 2030. The campaign seeks to improve TB detection, reduce diagnostic delays, and ensure better treatment outcomes for high-risk groups. It will be implemented across 347 districts in 33 states and Union Territories.

About 100-day TB campaign

India has aimed to eliminate Tuberculosis (TB) by 2025 which is 5 years ahead of the global target that is 2023. With this aim, the government is going to launch a 100-day TB campaign on 7th December 2024 in Panchkula, Haryana inaugurated by the Union Health Minister Shri JP Nadda. The objective is to improve TB case detection, reduce diagnostic delays, and enhance treatment outcomes, especially for high-risk groups. The initiative is set to be implemented across 347 districts in 33 states and Union Territories. 

Key points of 100-day TB campaign:

• The objective is to improve TB case detection, reduce diagnostic delays, and enhance treatment outcomes, especially for high-risk groups. 

• The initiative is set to be implemented across 347 districts in 33 states and Union Territories.

• The campaign’s main target is to improve key indicators such as TB incident rates, diagnostics coverage, mortality rates.

• It will support the Ayushmaan Arogya Mandir network to deliver TB services to the remote areas.

Data point: 

• According to government data, 21.69 lakh TB cases were notified between January and October 2024.

• TB incidence rates have decreased by 17.7% from 237 per 1,00,000 in 2015 to 195 per 1,00,000 in 2023.

• TB-related deaths have decreased by 21.4% from 28 per lakh in 2015 to 22 per lakh in 2023.

What is Tuberculosis?

• Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It is a treatable disease that mainly affects the lungs but can also affect the other parts of the body.

• It is a communicable disease that spreads through the air. When people with lung TB cough, sneeze or spit, they propel the TB germs into the air.

• Vaccine: Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) is a vaccine for TB disease.

• Symptoms:

• Prolonged cough
• Chest pain
• Fatigue
• Weakness
• Weight loss
• Fever etc.

Challenges

• Social stigma and taboo: Leads to delay in treatment and isolation of patients.

• Poor health infrastructure: Lack of diagnostics facilities in rural areas.

• Financial issue: Due to higher charges of diagnostic test and medical facilties in private hospitals.

• Problem of malnutrition: Low immunity system increases the chances of transmission of infection.

Efforts to end TB

Global efforts: 

• The World Health Organisation (WHO) has initiated a campaign “Find. Treat. All. #endTB” and releases the Global Tuberculosis Report to track progress and identify gaps in TB elimination globally.

Indian efforts: 

• National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP): A significant step to eliminate TB by 2025 , 5 years ahead of the SDG goals of 2030.

• Nikshay Ecosystem: A national diverse system for TB information 

• Nikshay Poshan Yojana (NPY): Provides ₹500 per month of financial support to TB patients through direct benefit transfer (DBT).

• TB Harega Desh Jeetega Campaign: A nationwide awareness campaign to combat TB.

• TB Mukt Panchayat Initiative: This aims to empower local bodies at the village level to understand TB symptoms and issues and take the necessary action required.

• Mission Indradhanush: BCG vaccine is provided under the mission.

Conclusion

The 100-day TB Campaign is a crucial step in India's mission to eradicate tuberculosis by 2025. By enhancing early detection, reducing diagnostic delays, and targeting high-risk communities, the campaign aims to significantly reduce TB cases and related deaths. With the support of the Ayushman Arogya Mandir network, the initiative will ensure comprehensive TB services reach even the remotest areas, moving India closer to achieving its goal of a TB-free nation.