Healthcare workers deserve kudos for their efforts to eliminate tuberculosis in Jammu and Kashmir. The Union Territory has emerged as one of the best-performing regions under the ongoing 100-day TB Mukt Bharat campaign. It has secured second rank among states and union territories under Phase-II of the national campaign launched on March 24, 2026. The UT has maintained strong performance in TB case detection. Over 4,472 TB cases have been notified during the first five months of 2026, representing about 40 percent of the annual target. The programme has also strengthened presumptive TB testing, recording over 2.52 lakh tests across the UT. So far, 1,504 TB patients have been assessed under differentiated TB care, ensuring personalised treatment and management based on disease severity and associated vulnerabilities. There has been a significant improvement in TB Preventive Treatment coverage, which increased from seven percent during Phase-I to 34 percent during Phase-II, indicating better protection of household contacts and other high-risk groups from developing active tuberculosis. What has added a new dimension to the campaign is the use of digital tools. TB Mukt Bharat App and Khushi Chatbot have significantly enhanced treatment adherence, patient counseling, and service delivery. These platforms help in plugging the gaps and notifying TB patients. TB continues to be a major cause of worry. According to official figures, India reported 25.5 lakh TB cases in 2023 and 26.07 lakh cases in 2024. According to the WHO’s Global TB Report, India has made significant progress in fighting tuberculosis. Under the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme, the incidence rate of TB has dropped by nearly 17.7%, from 237 cases per 1 lakh people in 2015 to 195 in 2023. TB-related deaths have also reduced, falling from 28 to 22 per 1 lakh people during the same period. The UT has achieved notable success in several critical indicators, including vulnerable population screening, presumptive TB testing, TB notification, drug-resistant TB detection, differentiated TB care, nutritional support, and community participation through Nikshay Mitras. Yet, there is no room for complacency. Jammu and Kashmir has a long way to go. We need to focus on far-off and unapproachable areas. There are still pockets where TB prevalence exists. People still face healthcare challenges. Wood is still used for cooking. There is no ventilation in small hutments, and people do not have the means to travel to a nearby health centre to get tested. Even in urban areas, there are hidden cases of TB. Our health workers are doing a commendable job. Anti-TB medicines are freely available at all hospitals and health centres. We need a movement on the lines of 100-day Nahsa Mukt J&K to eliminate TB from the UT. The government alone cannot end the disease burden. We all need to come together and contribute to the 100 TB Mukt Bharat campaign.
TB Mukt J&K
