Health Minister launches 100-Day Intensified TB Campaign

Bhubaneswar, 08.12.2024:- In a decisive move to eliminate tuberculosis (TB) and address its challenges, Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Mukesh Mahaling today launched the “100-Day Intensified TB Campaign” to combat TB incidence and mortality in the State. The campaign will be implemented in 19 districts of Odisha, marking a major step in strengthening the State’s efforts towards TB elimination.

Both Central and State governments are committed to reducing the burden of TB and improving health outcomes across the State. Prime Minister Sri Narendra Modi Ji has set an aim to achieve the end TB target by 2025. These targets are a reduction of TB incidence by 80% as compared to 2015 baseline, a reduction of TB mortality by 90% as compared to 2015 baseline, and zero catastrophic expenditure for the families affected with TB, Health Minister Dr. Mahaling informed.

As part of the campaign, Dr. Mahaling unveiled advocacy and information, education, and communication (IEC) materials to raise awareness about TB prevention and treatment, and appealed to people to join hands in the campaign to make “TB Mukt Odisha” and “TB Mukt Bharat”.

The Health Minister also flagged off the Ni-kshay Vahan, a fleet of vehicles that will enhance access to diagnostics, screening, and treatment services in remote areas. The Ni-kshay Mitra program aims to provide nutritional support to TB patients and their families, as well as improve care for high-risk individuals.

This 100-day Active Case Finding (ACF) campaign will focus on enhancing TB case detection, reducing diagnostic delays, and improving treatment outcomes, especially among high-risk groups. The initiative is a part of India’s National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP), which aligns with the Government’s commitment to achieving the “End TB” goal by tackling the challenges of TB notification and mortality.

The campaign will be rolled out across 19 districts in the State, including Balangir, Bargarh, Bhadrak, Boudh, Cuttack, Deogarh, Ganjam, Jagatsinghpur, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Kendrapara, Keonjar, Koraput, Malkangiri, Mayurbhanj, Puri, Rayagada, Subarnapur, and Sundargarh. The focus is on reaching underserved communities and high-risk groups to reduce TB transmission and ensure equitable access to TB services.

The 100-day campaign will focus on key indicators such as TB incidence rates, diagnostic coverage, and mortality reduction, aligning with national policy initiatives like increased financial assistance under the Ni-kshay Poshan Yojana. The program also includes social support through the Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan, which aims to strengthen the TB elimination movement nationwide.

Currently, the State is implementing active case finding through ASHAs. ASHAs are provided Rs. 100/- incentive for referral of the presumptive TB case, and Rs. 500/- incentives for all positive cases. TB patients are provided Rs. 1000/- per month under Nikshay Poshan Yojana.

TB Champions Sri Arjun Charan Nath and Smt Sasmita Patra were felicitated in the function for their contributions towards community engagement for TB elimination.

Director of Health Services Dr. Bijay Kumar Mohapatra welcomed the dignitaries, while Mission Director of National Health Mission (NHM) Dr. Brundha D highlighted the progress of Odisha’s TB program and importance of protein-rich foods for TB patients. The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Director of Public Health Dr. Nilakantha Mishra. Senior officers, key stakeholders, and TB champions participated in the State-level inauguration.