Governor Ghosh asks DCs to intensify efforts to eliminate tuberculosis

Haryana Governor Ashim Kumar Ghosh on Wednesday urged deputy commissioners to step up coordinated efforts to eliminate tuberculosis (TB) from the state and assess the effectiveness of measures being undertaken under the TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan and the Ni-Kshay Mitra Initiative. Addressing deputy commissioners of 13 districts through video conference from Lok Bhavan, Ghosh directed officials to conduct an audit of the impact of various interventions being implemented to combat the disease.

Focus on early detection

The Governor called for stronger preventive measures and greater community-based screening to ensure early diagnosis and timely treatment of TB patients. He emphasised that both government and private healthcare institutions should participate fully in the campaign and work together towards achieving the state's TB elimination goals. Ghosh directed officials to adopt a focused approach in high-risk villages and ensure that diagnostic facilities reach vulnerable and underserved populations instead of requiring them to travel long distances for testing. He also stressed the need for comprehensive clinical management of people diagnosed with TB and timely distribution of nutrition support kits to needy patients under the Ni-Kshay Mitra Initiative.

'Strengthen district TB centres'

According to an official statement, the Governor called for optimum utilisation of the TB Mukt Bharat app to strengthen monitoring and implementation of the programme. He directed that district TB centres be strengthened and overhauled wherever required and that their functioning be regularly monitored to improve the effectiveness of the state's anti-TB campaign.

Ghosh said India, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was committed to achieving the goal of eliminating tuberculosis. Haryana has emerged as one of the better-performing states in the country's fight against TB and has exceeded several key targets under the National TB Elimination Programme, the statement said.

During the meeting, all deputy commissioners were also urged to register themselves as Ni-Kshay Mitras. Under the Ni-Kshay Mitra Initiative, individuals, organisations and other stakeholders can support TB patients by providing nutritional, diagnostic and vocational assistance during their treatment. The Governor called for sustained administrative and community participation to ensure that patients are identified early, receive proper treatment and nutrition support, and complete their prescribed course of treatment.