J&K launches 100-day drive to end TB

Kulgam/ Baramulla, Dec 7: Jammu and Kashmir launched a 100-day drive to end tuberculosis (TB) with Minister for Health and Medical Education, Social Welfare and Education, Sakeena Masood (Itoo) launching the campaign across J&K on Saturday.

Virtually launching the 100-day campaign under the National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP) across J&K at Kashmir Skill and Simulation Centre, RIHFW Dhobiwan, Tangmarg in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, the health minister said, “TB continues to be a major public health challenge in the country, but with determination, innovation, and a collective effort, we can overcome it.”

She said that this campaign represents an unwavering commitment to achieving the vision of TB-free J&K.

The minister underlined that over the next 100 days, the department would aim to accelerate TB detection, ensure timely treatment and promote awareness about preventive measures.

She said that this was not just a government initiative but a people’s movement that calls for active participation from every corner of society.

The health minister said that the present government was focused on reaching the unreached, establishing advanced healthcare facilities, strengthening diagnostics, enhancing community engagement and ensuring no one was left behind in the fight against TB.

“With the support of healthcare workers, local stakeholders, and the people, the Health Department will achieve significant milestones during this campaign,” she said.

MLA Beerwah Muhammad Shafi, MLA Gulmarg Farooq Ahmad Shah, and MLA Uri Sajjad Shafi commended the efforts of the health staff for their contributions and achievements.

They reiterated their full support for the campaign, highlighting that the objective of this 100-day campaign was to accelerate efforts in eliminating TB, reaching every corner of the community, spreading awareness about the disease, and ensuring access to free and high-quality TB care.

Joint Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, Meera Srivastava urged healthcare providers, industry leaders, corporate organisations, counsellors, media professionals, and citizens to collaborate in this effort.

She emphasised the importance of ensuring that no one was left behind in the fight against TB, striving for a TB-free community where no child loses a parent, no student misses school, and no worker loses their livelihood due to TB.

Srivastava reinforced that this 100-day campaign was not merely a health initiative but a commitment to building healthier and stronger communities.

Director of Health Services, Kashmir, Dr Jehangir Bakshi along with all other participants took the TB Pledge, demonstrating a strong commitment to the elimination of tuberculosis in the Kashmir division.

He said that the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP) in Kashmir had made remarkable progress.

State Tuberculosis Officer, Kashmir, Dr Adhfar Yasien delivered the opening remarks on the 100-day intensified campaign for TB Elimination (Ni-kshay Shivir).

She emphasised the significant importance of this campaign, noting that TB was not only a health issue but also a major social and economic burden, particularly affecting the most vulnerable segments of society.

Dr Adhfar also highlighted that India accounts for approximately 27 percent of the world’s TB cases, emphasising the urgency of this ongoing fight.

“TB continues to claim lives, disrupt families, and reduce the productivity of entire communities,” she said.

Divisional Nodal Officer, National Health Mission (NHM), Dr Mushtaq Ahmad thanked all the visiting dignitaries and participants present in the occasion, who have dedicated themselves to this cause.

He called on all to unite and ensure the success of this 100-day campaign, marking a major step toward a TB-free India and TB-Free Kashmir.

Additional Deputy Commissioner, Baramulla and health functionaries from various districts of the Kashmir division were also present at the campaign launch.

Three districts in Kashmir – Budgam, Anantnag, and Pulwama - have been declared TB-free.

Additionally, two districts, Srinagar and Kupwara, have received gold certification under the Sub-National Certification and J&K has received a bronze medal in the same category.

Over 15 million TB cases have been successfully treated since the start of the programme and significant improvements in detection and recovery rates have been achieved due to better diagnostic and treatment tools.

Despite these advancements, challenges like stigma, late diagnosis, and treatment dropouts remain, and the 100-day campaign aims to directly address these issues through the involvement of all stakeholders.

During this 100-day intensified campaign, health teams would focus on conducting active case findings by visiting high-risk and vulnerable populations, including malnourished individuals, diabetics, smokers, cancer patients, tribal communities, and other at-risk groups.

The goal is to detect TB cases early, raise awareness about TB symptoms, prevention, and treatment, and provide continuous medical and psychological support to ensure successful recovery.

Additionally, community leaders, NGOs, corporate organisations, counsellors, and health workers will be engaged to serve as ambassadors for change.

After the event, two TB eradication vans were flagged off, one for district Srinagar, which was flagged off by the Director of Health Services, Kashmir, Dr Jahingir Bakshi, Chief Medical Officer, Srinagar, Dr Tahir Sajad, and District Tuberculosis Officer, Srinagar, Dr Abdul Roof, and the other for the district Baramulla was flagged off by Additional District Development Commissioner, Baramulla, Syed Qamar Sajad, Chief Medical Officer, Baramulla, Dr Mastoora Akhter, and District Tuberculosis Officer, Baramulla, Dr Hafizulla.