NEW DELHI, Aug 11: Union Health Minister J P Nadda on Tuesday urged Members of Parliament from Karnataka and Kerala to intensify efforts to identify tuberculosis cases, ensure timely treatment and strengthen support for patients in their constituencies.
Addressing a meeting of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha members from the two states during the Monsoon Session of Parliament, Nadda stressed that continued political participation, administrative monitoring and community involvement would be essential to achieving the goal of a TB-free India.
The meeting, held under the theme ‘Parliamentarians Championing a TB Mukt Bharat’, brought MPs from across political parties together at the Extended Parliament House Annexe. It was part of a broader series of consultations being conducted with parliamentarians from different states to strengthen the Centre’s campaign against tuberculosis.
Nadda said the TB Mukt Bharat initiative should be viewed as a collective movement rather than simply a government health programme. He called for sustained public awareness and local level mobilisation so that national efforts translate into better outcomes for communities.
The discussions reviewed the progress of tuberculosis-related activities in Karnataka and Kerala and considered measures for expanding screening, treatment access and assistance for affected families.
The minister also highlighted the progress achieved through the 100-Day TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan. The latest phase of the campaign began on March 24, 2026, and focused on around 1.58 lakh high-risk villages and urban wards before concluding in July.
According to the Health Ministry, the campaign screened more than 2.02 crore vulnerable people nationwide and identified over seven lakh TB cases. Nearly 1.97 lakh of those detected were asymptomatic cases, helping bring previously unidentified infections into the treatment system.
Nadda said India has made significant progress in reducing the tuberculosis burden. Citing the WHO Global TB Report 2025, he said TB incidence in the country declined by 21 per cent between 2015 and 2024, while treatment coverage reached 92 per cent.
He emphasised that the next stage would require continued attention after the completion of the campaign, with every district expected to maintain momentum in case detection, treatment adherence and patient support.
Nadda described the campaign’s achievements as an important milestone in India’s fight against tuberculosis, while stressing that long-term success would depend on sustained efforts at the grassroots level.
He expressed confidence that Karnataka and Kerala could play a leading role in strengthening the country’s TB elimination programme by expanding local outreach and ensuring that vulnerable populations receive timely diagnosis and care.
The meeting was attended by Union Ministers Pralhad Joshi, Anupriya Patel, Suresh Gopi and Shobha Karandlaje, besides other parliamentarians.
Nadda said the conclusion of the 100-day drive should be seen as the beginning of a more sustained phase of action, with progress to be assessed through consistent improvements in TB outcomes across districts.