India expands TB elimination campaign to all districts

India's Health Minister J. P. Nadda announced on March 24, 2025, that the TB-Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan campaign will expand to all districts across the country. This campaign began on December 7, 2024, and it has screened nearly 129.7 million people for tuberculosis (TB). Over 719,000 TB patients were reported, many of whom were asymptomatic and could have remained undetected. The treatment coverage for TB in India has risen significantly, from 59% to 85%. The campaign involved more than 5,000 members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) and 10,000 local government bodies, demonstrating widespread community involvement. Nadda emphasized that the fight against TB is not over and outlined a comprehensive approach involving both government and community efforts. The campaign has utilized advanced technology, including mobile units for TB screening, which helped reach remote areas. More than 1.3 million community screening camps were held, which provided services directly to the public. The Minister also noted that new volunteers, called Nikshay Mitras, have helped distribute food baskets to patients. Screening was enforced for vulnerable populations, including people with weakened immune systems. India is recognized as a leading funder of TB research, and technology such as RT-PCR machines has been adapted for TB testing. Additionally, innovative diagnostic kits have made TB detection more efficient. At the World TB Day summit, a digital book showcasing the campaign's progress was released, along with new guidelines for managing high-risk TB patients. Several states were recognized for their achievements during the TB-Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan initiative.