SRINAGAR: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday reviewed the implementation and progress of the Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan in Jammu and Kashmir at a high-level meeting, reaffirming the Union Territory administration’s commitment to achieving the national goal of tuberculosis elimination.
The meeting was attended by Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo; Principal Secretary to the Lieutenant Governor, Mandeep K. Bhandari; Secretary, Health and Medical Education, Syed Abid Rasheed Shah; Mission Director, National Health Mission (NHM) JK, Baseer-ul-Haq Chaudhary; Deputy Commissioners; heads of medical and health institutions; and other senior officials.
During the review, the Lieutenant Governor stressed the need for in-depth analysis of TB cases and treatment outcomes, seamless inter-departmental coordination and a strong community-based support system to ensure that no patient is left out of care. He directed the Health Department and district administrations to scale up testing and prioritise the mapping of vulnerable populations.
Sinha also called for intensifying door-to-door Information, Education and Communication (IEC) campaigns to raise awareness about TB symptoms, diagnostic facilities and the availability of treatment. District administrations were asked to adopt best practices to achieve the goal of a TB-free Jammu and Kashmir in line with the national mission.
The meeting reviewed district-wise data on treatment outcomes, presumptive TB testing rates, case notification, drug-resistant TB cases, the status of the Nikshay Poshan Yojana, the Nikshay Mitra initiative, coverage under Ayushman Bharat Golden Cards with a focus on enrolling all TB patients, incentivisation of ASHA workers, implementation of the ‘One Patient–One Nikshay Mitra’ model, and procurement of treatment and testing equipment.
Officials informed the meeting that Jammu and Kashmir has achieved 99 per cent coverage of vulnerable populations, covering 28,62,686 individuals. Secretary Health and Medical Education Syed Abid Rasheed Shah presented a detailed assessment of the Union Territory’s performance under the National TB Elimination Programme and an action taken report on directions issued during the previous review meeting.
