Lucknow: Keeping the goals of Stop TB 2025 in view, the Uttar Pradesh govt has decided to launch a 100-day TB search campaign in 15 districts which have significant presence of high-risk areas and groups.
Informing that the campaign will kick off on December 7, principal secretary health and family welfare Partha Sarthi Sen Sharma said, “The drive aims to identify new TB patients, reduce mortality rate, and prevent the spread of TB among healthy individuals. The campaign will focus on tracing, testing, treatment, and inter-departmental coordination while incorporating innovative approaches. The campaign will continue till Mar 24, 2025.”
Adding that Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Singh has issued necessary instructions to officials for smooth execution of the campaign, Sharma said: “Only a few months are remaining for the Prime Minister’s target of eliminating TB by 2025. Therefore, pockets of high-risk population are being targeted.”
Officials said that 15 districts had been selected by the central TB division. “The criteria were based on TB mortality rate of 2023. Policymakers chose districts where TB mortality rate in 2023 was equal to or more than the national average of 3.6% and where the identification of new and potential TB cases is below the national average,” said state tuberculosis officer Dr Shailendra Bhatnagar.
Dr Bhatnagar said that besides focusing on screening of potential TB patients and their close contacts, the drive would ensure that they receive prompt and effective treatment. “TB screening efforts will be expanded from village-level health centres to higher facilities. Special attention will be given to high-risk patients, and a death audit will be conducted for every TB-related fatality,” he said.
He said that the benefits of Nikshay Poshan Yojana and other services will also be provided to patients receiving TB treatment. “The campaign will be conducted at multiple levels, focusing on high-risk areas and populations. Possible TB patients will be detected based on TB symptoms and tested using X-rays and NAT machines. If TB is confirmed, treatment will begin immediately. TB preventive treatment (TPT) will be provided to family members of patients and other high-risk groups,” he said.
During the campaign, mobile medical unit ‘Nikshay Vahan’ will travel to communities to raise awareness. Nikshay Mitras will also be encouraged to adopt as many TB patients as possible. Dr Bhatnagar said that a total of 18 departments, including the health department and voluntary organizations, will cooperate in the campaign.
