In News:

• Union Health Minister Shri JP Nadda launched a 100-day intensified TB campaign in Panchkula, Haryana, aimed at reducing TB incidence and mortality. The campaign will focus on 347 high-risk districts across India.

Key Highlights:

• Campaign Goals:
  • Find and treat missing TB cases, especially in high-risk groups.
  • Significantly reduce TB-related deaths.
• Focus Areas:
  • The campaign is part of India’s larger goal to eliminate TB before the 2030 SDG deadline.
  • Strategies include early detection and rapid treatment of TB patients.
• Historical Context:
  • TB was once seen as a "slow death" and patients were isolated.
  • In 2018, the Prime Minister set the vision to end TB before 2030.
• Recent Government Initiatives:
  • Ayushman Arogya Mandirs network of 1.7 lakh centers helps in early TB detection.
  • Increased diagnostic infrastructure: Laboratories increased from 120 in 2014 to 8,293 today.
  • Introduction of new drug regimens: Shorter and more effective treatments have increased the treatment success rate to 87%.
  • Ni-kshay Support: Rs 3,338 crore transferred to 1.17 crore TB patients via direct benefit transfer.
• Key Achievements:
  • TB decline rate in India has increased from 8.3% (2015) to 17.7% today, surpassing the global average.
  • TB-related deaths have dropped by 21.4% over the past decade.
• Private Sector Involvement:
  • Mandatory notification of TB patients by private practitioners has led to an 8-fold increase in TB case notifications.
• 4Ts Approach for TB Elimination: Test, Track, Treat, and Technology (use of advanced tools for diagnosis and treatment).
• New Initiatives:
  • Ni-kshay Vahaan: Mobile vans to detect and treat TB patients in remote areas.
  • Launch of national guidelines for a new drug-resistant TB regimen (BPaLM), which is a 4-drug combination therapy for multi-drug-resistant TB.
• Ni-kshay Poshan Yojana:
  • Increase in nutritional support: Monthly support raised from Rs 500 to Rs 1000 per TB patient.
  • The initiative also includes energy boosters for enhanced patient care.
• Mobile Diagnostics:
  • Deployment of AI-enabled portable X-ray units and molecular tests to bring diagnostics closer to people, especially in remote areas.
• Monitoring and Data: Intensified data tracking via the Ni-kshay portal to provide timely updates to TB patients.
• Background of the Campaign:
  • Part of the National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP).
  • The 347 districts were selected based on indicators like death rates, presumptive TB examination rates, and incidence rates.
• Campaign Materials:
  • Unveiling of Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) resources in regional languages.
  • Honoring TB Champions and Ni-kshay Mitras during the event.
• Government’s Strategic Framework:
  • India’s National Strategic Plan (NSP) for TB elimination (2017-2025).
  • TB Harega Desh Jeetega Campaign and Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan.
• Tuberculosis (TB) Overview:
  • TB is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis and primarily affects the lungs, spreading through the air.
  • Mortality rate has decreased from 28 per lakh (2015) to 23 per lakh (2022).