SRINAGAR, JULY 08: Lieutenant Governor Shri Manoj Sinha chaired a review meeting to assess the progress and implementation of the Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
The meeting was attended by Chief Secretary Shri Atal Dulloo, Principal Secretary to the LG Dr Mandeep K. Bhandari, Secretary Health and Medical Education Dr Syed Abid Rasheed Shah, Mission Director NHM J&K Shri Baseer Ul Haq Chaudhary, Deputy Commissioners, heads of medical institutions, and other senior officials.
During the meeting, the LG reviewed the strategic interventions and action plans focused on enhancing TB case detection, improving treatment success rates, addressing challenges, and strengthening coordination among departments to meet the national target of TB elimination.
“TB Mukt Jammu Kashmir must be our shared mission,” the LG said, stressing collaborative efforts from all stakeholders.
Highlighting the importance of awareness, the LG directed the Health Department to use all forms of media for educating people about TB and ensuring field workers diligently follow up with patients. He underscored the need for close monitoring to ensure patients adhere to their treatment regimen and do not develop drug resistance. He particularly emphasised using IEC tools like daily SMS alerts and phone calls to remind patients to take their medicines.
He also instructed the Health Department to ensure diagnostic tools such as CBNAAT and TrueNat machines are made available throughout the UT to scale up testing and screening efforts.
“This will significantly boost detection and bring us closer to a TB Mukt Jammu Kashmir and TB Mukt Bharat,” he said.
The LG urged Deputy Commissioners to intensify awareness drives and involve religious leaders, health experts, sportspersons, influential citizens, SHGs, and civil society organisations to fight the stigma surrounding tuberculosis.
He directed officials to prioritise screening of vulnerable populations, strengthen diagnostics and treatment systems, and promote early detection. The LG also called for encouraging citizens to join the initiative as Ni-Kshay Mitras.
The meeting also covered J&K’s performance under the National TB Elimination Programme, the progress of the TB Mukt Panchayat initiative, media workshops, saturation of Ayushman Bharat Golden Cards, and procurement of essential testing and treatment infrastructure.
Dr Syed Abid Rasheed Shah presented a comprehensive update on district-wise treatment outcomes, presumptive TB testing statistics, and implementation of strategic interventions across Jammu and Kashmir.