26 March 2025 : Indian Express Editorial Analysis

1. Vision to Victory

(Source – Indian Express, Section – The Editorial Page – Page No. – 12)

What is Tuberculosis?

• About: Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
  • It commonly affects the lungs, but can also affect other parts of the body.
  • It is a treatable and curable disease.
• Transmission: TB is spread from person to person through the air. When people with lung TB cough, sneeze or spit, they propel the TB germs into the air.
• Symptoms: Common symptoms of active lung TB are cough with sputum and blood at times, chest pains, weakness, weight loss, fever and night sweats.
• Vaccine: Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) is a vaccine for TB disease.

India’s Revolutionary Approach to TB Elimination

• On this World Tuberculosis (TB) Day, India stands at the forefront of a transformative fight against TB.
• The recently concluded 100-day Intensified TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan has showcased the power of innovation and mass mobilization in tackling the disease.
• Launched on December 7, 2024, this ambitious campaign aimed to accelerate TB detection, reduce mortality, and prevent new cases.
• By blending cutting-edge technology with grassroots community engagement, India is not just battling TB but redefining the global approach to disease eradication.

Early Detection Through Innovation

• A key feature of the campaign was the use of advanced diagnostic tools to detect TB early, even among asymptomatic individuals.
• Portable X-ray machines were deployed to high-risk groups, including people with diabetes, smokers, alcohol consumers, those living with HIV, and the elderly.
• Artificial Intelligence-powered X-ray scans provided instant detection, with confirmation done using the gold-standard Nucleic Acid Amplification Tests (NAATs).
• This approach significantly curbed transmission by ensuring timely treatment, saving thousands of lives that may have otherwise gone undiagnosed.

Impact of the 100-Day Campaign

The campaign made unprecedented strides in screening vulnerable populations. In just 100 days:

• 12.97 crore individuals from high-risk groups were screened.
• 7.19 lakh TB patients were notified, including 2.85 lakh asymptomatic cases that would have been missed without proactive testing.
• By detecting and treating these cases early, the program broke the chain of TB infection, making it a historic milestone in India’s fight against TB.

TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan: A People’s Movement

• Beyond technology, the real game-changer of the campaign was the mass participation of communities.
• The initiative turned TB elimination into a national movement, engaging over 13.46 lakh nikshay shivirs (TB screening camps) and involving 30,000+ elected representatives, corporate partners, and civil society organizations.
• The campaign leveraged jan bhagidari (people’s participation) to spread awareness and encourage action.

Key community engagement activities included:

• 35,000+ awareness and nutrition support activities across 22 ministries.
• 21,000+ TB awareness events conducted in collaboration with PSUs, trade associations, and voluntary organizations.
• 7.7 lakh students from 78,000 educational institutions participated in TB awareness campaigns.
• Screening of 4.17 lakh vulnerable individuals in prisons, mines, tea gardens, and workplaces.
• Faith-based leaders and community influencers drove 21,000+ awareness initiatives during festivals.

Strengthening Patient Support and Nutrition

• Recognizing that nutritional support is critical for TB recovery, India has doubled financial assistance under the Ni-kshay Poshan Yojana from ₹500 to ₹1,000 per month.
• The Ni-kshay Mitra initiative has seen over 1.05 lakh new supporters adopt TB patients, providing essential food baskets and emotional support.
• Additionally, under the Differentiated TB Care program, personalized treatment plans are being designed for patients based on their BMI and nutritional status, ensuring comprehensive, patient-centric care.

Sustaining the Momentum Beyond 100 Days

• The campaign’s success underscores the power of a whole-of-society and whole-of-government approach.
• Various ministries have integrated TB awareness and services into daily life.
• From TB awareness floats at Goa Carnival parades to screenings at MSME clusters, the initiative is making TB elimination a national priority.
• Looking ahead, India plans to scale up these efforts nationwide, ensuring equitable access to modern diagnostics, quality treatment, and strong community support.
• Drawing inspiration from the Swachh Bharat Mission and polio eradication drives, TB Mukt Bharat is set to become another people-led revolution.

Conclusion

• India is not just battling TB—it is defeating it.
• By combining cutting-edge innovation, grassroots mobilization, and strong government commitment, the country is leading the way in global TB elimination efforts.
• The 100-day campaign has proven that when technology meets access, and communities unite for a cause, the impossible becomes reality.

Check this out 25 March 2025 : Indian Express Editorial Analysis