The 100-day TB elimination campaign of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has detected over five lakh tuberculosis (TB) patients across the country. In 455 districts involved in the campaign, over three lakh 57 thousand TB patients have been diagnosed. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said that more than 10 crore vulnerable individuals have been screened as a result of accelerated case detection efforts, reduced diagnostic delays, identifying drug-resistant cases early, and improving treatment outcomes.

Under the campaign, 10 lakh Ni-kshay Shivirs have helped bring modern TB diagnostic tools closer to people’s homes. Further, 836 Ni-kshay Vahans have been deployed to extend the reach of TB services, to ensure coverage in the most remote areas. Since the launch of the campaign, over 240,000 Ni-kshay Mitras have also registered through Ni-kshay Shapaths, which encourages individuals and community leaders, among others, to support TB patients with nutritional baskets, psychosocial, and vocational support. As a result of this, over 230,000 food baskets have also been distributed.

Besides, a new strategy was designed for early identification of TB by offering X-rays as a screening tool for the population at higher risk of developing TB. Over 38 lakh people have been screened using chest X-rays, including a substantial population that did not exhibit the typical symptoms or any symptoms of TB.