Lok Sabha Question No. 868 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-02-07
Subject: Public Awareness about TB
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Anurag Singh Thakur

## GOVERNMENTOFINDIA MINISTRY OFHEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENT OFHEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 868 TO BE ANSWERED ON 07 th FEBRUARY, 2025

## PUBLIC AWARENESS ABOUT TB

## 868. SHRI ANURAG SINGH THAKUR:

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether specific steps have been taken to leverage community-based initiatives like the Ayushman Arogya Mandirs and Ni-kshay Poshan Yojana to increase public awareness about TB symptoms, prevention and timely treatment and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the 100-day TB elimination campaign has provisions to integrate its outcomes into long-term TB elimination strategies, including sustaining the expanded diagnostic infrastructure and community engagement in high-burden districts and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) whether any mechanism is put in place to monitor the impact of this campaign, especially in addressing socio-economic barriers to TB care and the manner in which these learnings be utilized for achieving the national target of TB elimination by 2025 and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SMT. ANUPRIYA PATEL)

(a) to (c) The National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP) is implemented under the aegis of the National Health Mission (NHM). TB services have been decentralized to the level of Ayushman Arogya Mandir (AAM). Community engagement is ensured through the comprehensive primary care package of services provided by AAM. Intensive Information, Education and Communication (IEC) activities are conducted to educate the public and raise awareness about symptoms, prevention and the importance of timely treatment for TB.

A 100-days TB elimination campaign was launched on 7 th December 2024 in 347 priority districts of the country. The campaign is fully aligned to the long-term TB elimination strategies of prevention, early detection, prompt treatment and reduction of TB related mortality. Mapping of vulnerable population, screening with high sensitive tools like Chest Xray, upfront Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (NAAT) for all presumptive TB cases and differentiated TB care for managing high-risk TB cases, are all part of the long-term strategies for TB elimination.

The Government has enhanced benefits under Ni-kshay Poshan Yojana (NPY) from Rs 500 to Rs 1000/month per patient for the duration of treatment. Since April 2018, under NPY Rs 3,246 Cr. has been disbursed to 1.2 Cr. beneficiaries. The Ni-kshay Mitra initiative has been expanded to cover household contacts of TB patients. Since September 2022, 2.55 lakh Nikshay Mitras have been registered and 23.63 lakh food baskets have been distributed.

Mechanisms to monitor impact of the campaign is in-built into the programme and through Ni -kshay portal. The campaign strategies are designed to achieve accelerated reduction in TB incidence and mortality and to contribute to the long-term national goals for TB elimination.

During 7 th December 2024 to 1 st February 2025, 4.94 lakh Ni-kshay shivirs have been held, 5.63 crore vulnerable individuals have been screened and 1.59 lakh new TB patients have been notified. Further, 86,748 new Ni-kshay Mitras have been registered and 1.12 lakh food baskets have been disbursed to TB patients and their family members in the campaign districts.

Community involvement through IEC activities are conducted to ensure solidarity among TB patients and to educate the public and raise awareness about symptoms, prevention and the importance of timely treatment for TB. Jan Bhaghidari activities are implemented with involvement of Schools, Panchayati Raj Institutions, Self Help Groups, Anganwadis, local Non-Government Organisations and Ccivil Society Organizations.

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