Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare Jagat Prakash Nadda, today called on Members of Parliament to take an active leadership role in advancing the TB-Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan, India’s mission to eliminate tuberculosis. Addressing lawmakers at the Extended Parliament House Annexe (EPHA) Auditorium, the Minister emphasized that political will and local engagement are vital to eradicating the disease.

The session marked the first in a series of planned interactions with parliamentarians, beginning with a special focus on MPs from Uttar Pradesh. Legislators from the state attended the event and pledged to strengthen grassroots mobilization, drive awareness campaigns, and support TB control activities in their constituencies. The MPs were briefed on the goals of the campaign, ongoing initiatives, and the critical role elected representatives can play in amplifying public participation.

Joined by Ministers of State Shri B. L. Verma, Shri Pankaj Chaudhury, Shri Kamlesh Paswan, Shri Jitin Prasada, and Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh, Shri Nadda stressed the importance of parliamentary leadership in accelerating India’s journey toward TB elimination. He urged MPs to regularly monitor campaign progress, work to reduce stigma, and encourage communities to actively participate in screening and treatment initiatives.

Nadda highlighted India’s notable achievements in combating tuberculosis, stating that the country has recorded a 21% decline in TB incidence—from 237 cases per lakh population in 2015 to 187 cases per lakh in 2024. This rate of decline is nearly double the global average of 12%, according to the World Health Organization’s Global TB Report 2025. TB-related deaths have also dropped significantly, from 28 per lakh population in 2015 to 21 per lakh in 2024.

The Minister also outlined several innovations introduced over the past decade to strengthen TB detection and treatment. These include the adoption of AI-enabled handheld chest X-ray devices, rapid molecular testing through Truenat machines, shorter and more effective treatment regimens, decentralization of TB services through Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, and extensive community engagement efforts. He emphasized that deeper penetration of screening services and sustained awareness-building will be crucial in turning the campaign into a true Jan Andolan (people’s movement).

Union Health Secretary Smt. Punya Salila Srivastava reiterated the importance of the TB-Mukt Bharat campaign in reducing the country’s disease burden. The Additional Secretary and Mission Director of the National Health Mission also shared an overview of the national strategy and highlighted the progress achieved so far.

With Parliamentarians now pledging active support, the Health Ministry hopes to galvanize public participation and accelerate India’s march toward a TB-free nation.