Bhubaneswar: Union Health Minister JP Nadda announced on Friday that India aims to eliminate tuberculosis (TB) by the end of this year, five years ahead of the global target.
Nadda made this statement while inaugurating the 9th National Summit on Good and Replicable Practices and Innovations in the Public Healthcare System in Puri.
“As per the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), India has to eliminate TB by 2030. But we are set to achieve it by 2025,” Nadda said.
“From 2015 to 2023, India has experienced a 17.7% decline in TB incidence, more than double the global average decline of 8.3%, as reported by the WHO Global TB Report 2024. Despitesetbacks from COVID-19, India has maintained its TB eradication target,” he added.
'टीबी मुक्त भारत' अभियान में देशभर में 5 लाख टीबी मरीजों को हमने चिन्हित कर उनका इलाज शुरू कर दिया है।
हमारा प्रयास है कि आदरणीय प्रधानमंत्री श्री @narendramodi जी के नेतृत्व में वर्ष-2025 के अंत तक भारत पूरी तरह से टीबी मुक्त होगा। pic.twitter.com/Qnh9LFH7Ef
— Jagat Prakash Nadda (@JPNadda) February 28, 2025
“We have already identified 5 lakh TB patients during the ongoing 100-day TB Mukt Bharat campaign in 455 districts across the country. An extensive campaign is underway, and we are including all aspirational districts and aspirational blocks under the campaign to ensure that we eliminate tuberculosis by the end of 2025.” he further said .
The two-day conference, organised by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), was also attended by Shri Mohan Charan Majhi, Chief Minister of Odisha; Dr. Mukesh Mahaling, Health Minister of Odisha; and Dr. Sambit Patra, Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha) from Puri.
The summit will showcase and document various best practices and innovations adopted by States and Union Territories (UTs) to address public health challenges. It also provides an opportunity for knowledge sharing and cross-learning among the participating States and UTs.
The Union Health Minister pointed out that “the WHO’s World Malaria Report 2024 acknowledges India’s significant reduction in malaria cases.
During the session, JP Nadda highlighted the significant strides India has made in healthcare since 2014. He noted that the National Health Policy of 2017 has shifted the focus from curative healthcare to a more comprehensive approach that includes preventive and promotive aspects. Additionally, the Union Minister remarked that the government has placed considerable emphasis on improving tertiary healthcare alongside primary and secondary healthcare.
वर्ष 2017 में नई हेल्थ पॉलिसी आई, जिसमें हमने क्यूरेटिव हेल्थ केयर से बाहर निकलकर प्रिवेंटिव, प्रमोटिव और कॉम्प्रिहेन्सिव हेल्थ केयर पर जोर दिया। सभी विधाओं को एक साथ लाकर स्वास्थ्य के क्षेत्र में नवाचार किए। pic.twitter.com/6qp4e69Eot
— Jagat Prakash Nadda (@JPNadda) February 28, 2025
Nadda stated that the Union Government is committed to ensuring quality and affordable healthcare services for the population. He referenced the work done on Ayushman Arogya Mandir under the National Health Mission, which has strengthened the foundation of primary healthcare within the overall healthcare system.
He further noted that “the decline of Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) in India is double that of the global decline, highlighting the efforts made to strengthen the healthcare system at the grassroots level. The Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) and Under-5 Mortality Rate have also seen significant reductions.” He commended Odisha for its notable progress in reducing IMR and MMR.
Acknowledging the importance of public participation for the success of any campaign, the Union Health Minister credited ASHA workers, SHOs, and other grassroots health workers for their contributions to healthcare achievements. He stated that Panchayati Raj Institutions should be further empowered to strengthen the healthcare infrastructure in India.
Addressing the threat posed by Non-Communicable Diseases, Shri Nadda stressed the need for lifestyle changes. He praised the National Health Mission for its ongoing Intensified Special NCD Screening Drive, which offers free screenings for diabetes, hypertension, and three types of cancer: oral, breast, and cervical. He also referenced a recent study published in The Lancet, which found that patients enrolled under the AB PM-JAY scheme experienced a 90 per cent increase in access to cancer treatment within 30 days, thereby reducing treatment delays and alleviating the financial burden on cancer patients.
Shri Nadda stated that every district in the country will have day-care cancer centres within the next three years, with 200 districts set to be covered this year alone. He also emphasised the importance of telemedicine in further strengthening healthcare.
On this occasion, the Union Health Minister and other dignitaries released a Coffee Table Book on the 9th National Summit on Best Practices, the report on the 16th Common Review Mission, the report from the four Regional Conferences of the NHM (2024-25), and the Non-Communicable Diseases Conference Report (January 2025).
Speaking at the event, CM Odisha Shri Mohan Charan Majhi remarked that Odisha is a vital pillar in the Union Government’s vision for a Swasthya Bharat. He stated that under the motto “Swasthya Odisha, Samruddh Odisha,” the state aims to intensify efforts to achieve all the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Shri Majhi highlighted the significant step of merging Odisha’s Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana with the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PMJAY). This integration allows people from Odisha to access over 29,000 private hospitals across the country, benefiting more than 4.5 crore individuals, particularly the state’s migrant workers.
He also announced the establishment of several national institutes in the state, including the National Institute of Yoga and Naturopathy, the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education & Research (NIPER), and a National Institute of Speech and Hearing. Additionally, a new Government Nursing College and four dental colleges will be opened in Odisha.
Dr Mukesh Mahaling noted that Odisha has made remarkable progress in institutional deliveries, which have now risen to over 92 per cent. He stated, “MMR and IMR cases have decreased rapidly. Cancer treatment and chemotherapy are already available in district hospitals in Odisha.” He further mentioned that the government is working towards ensuring that all districts in Odisha have hospitals.
Smt. Punya Salila Srivastava observed that the NHM National Summits have evolved into a powerful platform for delivering equitable, quality, and affordable health services. She noted that states can share best practices and insights from previous Common Review Missions (CRMs), which will aid in enhancing community participation, optimising resources, and addressing challenges. She urged states to maintain their focus on improving quality standards and to evaluate areas where additional resources are needed for more effective service delivery.
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