Lok Sabha Question No. 305 (STARRED), answered on 2025-03-21
Subject: National TB Elimination Programme
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Dr. D. Purandeswari

## GOVERNMENT OFINDIA MINISTRYOF HEALTHAND FAMILYWELFARE DEPARTMENTOFHEALTHANDFAMILYWELFARE

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 305 TO BEANSWERED ON 21 th MARCH, 2025

## NATIONALTB ELIMINATION PROGRAMME

## *305. DR. D. PURANDESWARI:

Will the Minister of HEALTHAND FAMILYWELFARE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether any significant progress has been made under the National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP) in terms of reducing TB incidence and mortality rates in the country and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government has any plans to sustain the decline in TB cases and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether specific interventions are being implemented to enhance active TB case-finding among vulnerable populations in the country and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) the manner in which the integration of various health initiatives such as the Ayushman Arogya Mandir is expected to improve TB screening and treatment services; and
- (e) the measures taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to ensure that nutritional support through the Nikshay Poshan Yojana reaches all eligible TB patients effectively?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF HEALTHAND FAMILYWELFARE (SHRI JAGAT PRAKASH NADDA)

- (a) to (e) A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 305* FOR 21 ST MARCH, 2025

….

(a) to (e): Government of India has implemented National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP) under the aegis of the National Health Mission (NHM)

As per the World Health Organisation's Global TB Report, 2024, the incidence rate of TB in India has shown a 17.7% decline from 237 per lakh population in 2015 to 195 per lakh population in 2023, which is more than double the global reduction, while deaths due to TB has reduced by 21.4% from 28 per lakh population in 2015 to 22 per lakh population in 2023.

The steps taken by the Government in all State/UTs, to accelerate and sustain the decline in TB cases are as under.

-  Targeted interventions in high TB burden areas through State and District Specific Strategic plans.
-  Intensified TB case-finding among vulnerable populations.
-  Provision of free drugs and diagnostics to TB patients.
-  Decentralization of TB screening and treatment services to the Ayushman Arogya Mandir.
-  Private sector engagement with incentives for TB case notification & management of TB cases.
-  Scaling up molecular diagnostic laboratories to sub-district levels.
-  Intensified information, Education & Communication (IEC) interventions to reduce stigma, enhance community awareness and improve health seeking behavior.
-  Ni-Kshay Poshan Yojana of Rs1,000 per month per patient as nutritional support for the entire duration of treatment.
-  Convergence of efforts and resources of line ministries for TB elimination.
-  Tracking of notified TB cases through Ni-Kshay portal.
-  Provision of TB Preventive Treatment to contacts of TB patients and vulnerable population.
-  Provision of additional nutritional support to TB patients and household contacts under Ni-kshay Mitra initiative.

The Government has launched a 100-Day TB Elimination Campaign in identified 347 priority districts across 33 State/UTs, to find missing TB cases, reduce TB deaths and prevent new cases. As part of Jan Bhagidari, efforts have been made for a whole of government approach in collaboration with line ministries. In addition, the private sector, civil society organizations and local community volunteers have been leveraged to mobilize vulnerable population.

Under NHM, comprehensive primary healthcare is provided through 12 package of services at Ayushman Arogya Mandir. These activities at the community level has contributed in identification of vulnerable population and enhance TB screening, diagnosis and treatment services.

The Government introduced Ni-kshay Poshan Yojana (NPY) in April 2018 through direct benefit transfer (DBT) as nutritional support to TB patients. With effect from 1 st November 2024, NPY incentive to TB patients have been enhanced from Rs 500 to Rs1,000 per month for the entire duration of treatment. The Government periodically reviews this inititative to ensure that nutritional support reaches all eligible TB patients.

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