Tuberculosis (TB) has been a major health issue since times immemorial. While the burden of TB in India continues to decline, in 2024 India recorded around 27.1 lakh new TB cases and more than 3 lakh deaths due to TB.
World TB Day is commemorated every year to raise public awareness about the devastating health, social and economic consequences of TB and to step up efforts to end the global TB epidemic. This year the emphasis is on country-led strategies, political commitment, community action, and the rapid rollout of new diagnostics to turn the tide against TB. Increased investment in TB research, diagnosis, and treatment is also vital in this endeavour. With ways and means set by WHO and decisively taken up by every country ending TB is not just aspirational – it is achievable. Communities, families, and individuals are crucial in supporting TB patients, promoting awareness, and advocating for their rights (Jan Bhagidari). The stigma surrounding TB can be ended by empowering the communities and encouraging people to seek care.
India has been pivotal in the fight against TB and a national program was set up in 1960’s named the National TB program (NTP), which has been renamed in 2020 as National Tuberculosis Elimination Program- NTEP (now called TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan).
The 4 pillars of the NTEP —Detect, Treat, Prevent, and Build (DTPB) form the strategic framework of the National Strategic Plan NSP (2017-2025). These pillars aim to find all cases, provide quality treatment, prevent new infections, and strengthen the health system to ensure no patient faces catastrophic costs.
Every effort is being made by the authorities to eliminate TB. To accelerate the progress towards TB elimination GOI launched 100 days TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan on 7th December 2024 in 347 high priority districts & based on the success achieved, the abhiyan was extended after March 2025 to all districts of the country.
With the right implementation of the NTEP, many districts in the country have been declared TB free (incidence <80%) . We in Kashmir with the effort of our administration have also achieved significant milestones on this front with our 5 districts (Anantnag, Kulgam, Budgam, Pulwama & Shopian) out of 10 being declared TB free. Efforts are under way to have rest of the districts achieve this milestone soon.
On the eve of the World TB Day 2026, the TB Mukht Bharat Abhiyan is being reinforced with another 100 days campaign, which will focus on designated high-risk villages & vulnerable populations. The campaign will be implemented through a mixed approach of outreach camps and facility based intensified service delivery providing services for TB and non- communicable diseases, considering the vulnerability of these clinically vulnerable groups to have TB disease.
TB elimination requires a collaborative effort going beyond government and healthcare system. It is a shared national responsibility and needs everyone’s involvement. Let us join hands and reaffirm our commitment to a TB free Kashmir driven by science, solidarity and a shared determination.
Dr Basra Mir, State TB Officer, Kashmir Division, Directorate of Health Services, Kashmir
