All stakeholders must join hands to make Telangana TB-free: Governor

Hyderabad: Telangana Governor  and president of the Tuberculosis Association of Telangana Shiv Pratap Shukla on Friday underscored the need for coordinated efforts by government agencies, healthcare workers, voluntary organisations, corporates and the public to achieve the goal of a TB-free Telangana and contribute to the national vision of a TB-free India.

Reviewing the implementation of the TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan at Lok Bhavan, the Governor assessed the progress made under the campaign and the measures being undertaken to eliminate tuberculosis in the State. He also reviewed the activities of the Tuberculosis Association of Telangana and its contribution towards supporting the Government’s TB eradication efforts.

Secretary of health, medical and family welfare department Christina Z. Chongthu, and Commissioner of health and family welfare Dr. Sangeetha Satyanarayana, made a detailed presentation on the implementation of the TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan across Telangana.

They outlined the State’s achievements in TB screening, diagnosis, treatment outcomes, preventive therapy, nutritional support and community participation.

The officials informed the Governor that Telangana has established a strong tuberculosis control infrastructure comprising 171 TB Units, 435 TB Detection Centres, 191 Rapid Molecular Testing facilities and 52 portable handheld X-ray devices. During the recent 100-day campaign, more than 3.87 lakh vulnerable individuals were screened, over 1.68 lakh X-ray examinations were conducted and 7,663 new TB patients were identified and linked to treatment.

Representatives of the Tuberculosis Association of Telangana also made a separate presentation highlighting the organisation’s initiatives in TB awareness, patient support, nutritional assistance and community engagement. They briefed the Governor on efforts being made to complement government programmes and mobilise public participation in the fight against tuberculosis.

Speaking to the media after the review meeting, Shukla said that nearly 28,000 active tuberculosis patients are currently undergoing treatment in Telangana. He noted that the State Government is implementing the TB elimination programme in line with Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s call to make India free from tuberculosis.

“The Telangana government is fully committed to achieving the goal of a TB-free State. While the programme is being implemented effectively, certain challenges persist, particularly in tribal and remote areas where some patients do not complete their medication, avoid diagnostic tests such as X-rays, or suffer from nutritional deficiencies,” he said.

The Governor said that detailed discussions were held on the challenges being faced at the field level. He added that the Health department would soon hold comprehensive review meetings with district collectors and district-level officials to identify and address local issues.

“We are determined to remove every obstacle that stands in the way of TB elimination. Wherever necessary, we will seek support and guidance from the Government of India. Our focus is to ensure that every identified TB patient completes the six-month treatment course successfully and recovers fully,” he said.

Shukla cautioned that even a minor lapse in diagnosis or treatment could result in an increase in TB cases. “If a patient does not undergo timely diagnostic tests or fails to take medicines regularly, it can lead to serious consequences and increase the risk of transmission. Continuous monitoring and follow-up are therefore essential,” he observed.

The Governor further said that the Government is considering greater involvement of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in awareness and outreach activities, particularly in rural and tribal areas.

NGOs, he said, can play a crucial role in educating communities about early diagnosis, treatment adherence and nutritional support.

“People must understand that tuberculosis is completely curable if medicines are taken regularly for the prescribed duration. Through awareness and community participation, we can ensure that no patient is left behind,” he added.

Expressing confidence that Telangana would make significant progress in TB elimination, Shukla said that the State would continue to work in accordance with the commitments of the Government of India and the vision of the Prime Minister to achieve the goal of a TB-free Telangana and a TB-free India.