The Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare recently unveiled the ‘TB Harega Desh Jeetega Campaign,’ alongside the release of the National TB Prevalence Survey. The TB India Report (2019) was also published. The report indicates an increase in tuberculosis cases noted by the Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP) from 2017 to 2018, a significant unveiling of an all-oral regimen kit for multi-drug resistant Tuberculosis (TB) patients, and the announcement of collaboration with the World Bank that would boost TB response in certain states. Various states were bestowed accolades for their notable efforts in combating TB, with Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat leading among populous states, Tripura and Sikkim among states with a medium population, and Puducherry, Daman, and Diu among Union Territories.
The TB Harega Desh Jeetega Campaign
The “TB Harega Desh Jeetega Campaign” is strategically founded on three core pillars: a clinical approach, a public health component, and active community participation. Its primary aim is to expand and enhance TB care services across India by 2022. This includes preventive and promotive approaches and suggests transformative interventions such as private sector health care provider engagement, inter-ministerial cooperation, corporate sector involvement, latent TB infection management, and community engagement. In addition to these interventions, a comprehensive mass media and communications campaign will drive awareness about the disease and available free treatment services under the government initiative.
The National TB Prevalence Survey
The Health Minister flagged off a van for the National TB Prevalence Survey, with a total of 25 vans set to participate in this nationwide survey projected to span six months. The data collected from this survey at national and state levels will serve as a crucial tool for policy-making and subsequent interventions.
Other Recent Initiatives
| Initiative | Description |
|---|---|
| JEET | A private sector engagement program launched in partnership with the Global Fund to collaboratively eliminate TB across India. |
| Nikshay Poshan Yojana | Launched in April 2018, this direct benefit transfer (DBT) scheme provides nutritional support to TB patients, who receive Rs.500 per month throughout their treatment duration. Since its inception, approximately Rs.427 crore has been transferred to over 26 lakh beneficiaries via direct transfers to their bank accounts. |
Accelerating TB Response Through World Bank Partnership
The Health Minister announced a strategic partnership with the World Bank, which is set to provide a $400 million credit to expedite TB response in nine states. This acceleration will be achieved through private sector engagement and other critical interventions.
