In a decisive step towards eliminating TB in India, Union Health and Family Welfare Minister, Sh. J.P. Nadda on Saturday launched the 100-day intensified nationwide campaign from Panchkula district in Haryana. The campaign will be implemented in 347 districts across the country.
Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini, Cabinet Minister, Sh. Anil Vij, Health Minister, Kumari Aarti Singh Rao also remained present on this occasion. Addressing the countrymen during the national-level event at Panchkula, Sh. J.P. Nadda said that under this campaign, the focus will be on TB-prone districts, and high-risk groups, ensuring comprehensive testing to prevent its spread.
Lauding Haryana's consistent focus and efforts on further strengthening healthcare infrastructure, Sh. J.P Nadda said that due to the dedicated efforts made by the present state government, the number of medical colleges in Haryana has increased from 6 in 2014 to 15 today, with plans to establish one in every district under the leadership of Chief Minister, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini.
He said that even the MBBS seats have increased from 650 in 2014 to 2,185, while postgraduate seats have increased from 243 to 889.The Union Minister said that India had only six AIIMS in 2014, compared to 22 today, with one under construction in Rewari, Haryana. Sh. J.P. Nadda further shared that under the Ayushman Bharat Scheme, 1.22 crore Ayushman cards have been issued in Haryana, facilitating 18.5 lakh hospital admissions. Haryana has spent Rs. 2,700 crore providing free healthcare to the underprivileged under this scheme, which is a commendable achievement, he said.
Sh. J.P Nadda said that the central government gives free treatment up to Rs. 5 lakh for senior citizens above 70 years under the Ayushman Bharat Scheme. Haryana has issued 70,000 Vay Vandana cards as part of this initiative. Neonatal screening have risen from 63 percent to 85 percent, and institutional delivery have increased from 80 percent to 94 percent.
Comprehensive immunization have improved from 79 percent to 92 percent.Sh. J.P Nadda said that prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi envisions making India TB-free before achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. With renewed energy and momentum, this campaign has been initiated today.
He said that there is a significant reduction in TB cases, with the decline rate improving from 8.3 percent in 2015 to 17.7 percent now. The World Health Organization has commended India's progress in reducing TB prevalence and mortality rates, which have dropped by 21.4 percent in the last 10 years.
The Union Health Minister shared that many new strategies were adopted to make TB services patient-friendly and decentralized. He said that today early detection of TB has become possible because of the network of over 1.7 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs across the country.
He said that by increasing the number of laboratories from 120 in 2014 to 8,293 laboratories today, a significant step has been taken to scale up diagnostic services across the Country. He said that with the over 1.17 crore TB patients have received Ni-kshay support of Rs 3,338 crore.
Besides this, the state government has recently increased the Ni-kshay poshan amount from Rs. 500 to Rs. 1000 and added energy boosters for the nourishment support for TB patients, said Sh. J.P Nadda.The Union Health Minister said that to make this campaign successful, public participation is the key and we can make the TB Free India campaign successful only by ensuring active participation of public representatives and making people aware.
During the program, Union Health Minister, Sh. J.P. Nadda, Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini, and other dignitaries flagged off 10 Ni-kshay vehicles for Haryana and unveiled the poster for the 100-day intensive TB elimination campaign and launched IEC materials for public outreach. Besides this, Ni-kshay Mitras were also honored, and Ni-kshay nutrition kits were distributed. TB champions who have successfully recovered from the disease were also felicitated.