J&K Ranks Second Nationally in TB Campaign as Chief Secretary Pushes for Faster Progress Towards TB-Free Future
SRINAGAR, JUNE 16: Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo on Tuesday reviewed the progress of the ongoing Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan in Jammu and Kashmir and called for intensified efforts to achieve the goal of a tuberculosis-free Union Territory.
Chairing a high-level review meeting attended by senior officials of the Health and Medical Education Department, National Health Mission, Government Medical Colleges and district health authorities, the Chief Secretary assessed district-wise performance and outlined a strategy to accelerate TB elimination efforts across J&K.
While acknowledging the encouraging performance recorded by several districts, Dulloo noted that significant scope for improvement remains in key areas, including X-ray screening coverage, differentiated TB care, preventive treatment and nutritional support. He directed the Health and Medical Education Department to strengthen interventions in districts lagging behind these indicators.
Emphasising the importance of early detection, the Chief Secretary called for expanding screening among vulnerable populations residing in identified high-risk villages. He instructed district administrations and health authorities to increase the number of Nikshay Shivirs and ensure saturation coverage of all notified high-risk villages within the prescribed timelines. He also stressed optimum utilisation of hand-held X-ray units and enhanced outreach in remote and vulnerable areas.
Reviewing the implementation of the Nikshay Poshan Yojana, Dulloo directed officials to complete pending beneficiary authentication and ensure timely disbursement of financial assistance to eligible TB patients. He further ordered a special drive to clear all pending cases so that no beneficiary is deprived of entitled support.
The Chief Secretary also urged health authorities to improve TB Preventive Treatment coverage among household contacts and healthcare workers, strengthen differentiated care protocols, expand Poshan Kit distribution and promote greater community participation through Nikshay Mitras.
Highlighting the role of technology in healthcare delivery, Dulloo stressed wider adoption of the recently launched TB Mukt Bharat App and Khushi Chatbot. He said digital platforms can significantly improve treatment adherence, patient counselling and service delivery, and directed field functionaries to ensure registration and active utilisation of the platforms by all notified TB patients.
During the meeting, Commissioner Secretary, Health and Medical Education, M. Raju, presented a detailed overview of achievements, challenges and future action plans under the TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan.
The meeting was informed that Jammu and Kashmir has emerged as one of the best-performing regions in the country under the ongoing 100-Day TB Mukt Bharat Campaign, securing second rank among States and Union Territories during Phase-II of the national campaign launched on March 24, 2026.
Officials highlighted that J&K has registered notable achievements in vulnerable population screening, presumptive TB testing, TB notification, drug-resistant TB detection, differentiated TB care, nutritional support and community participation through Nikshay Mitras.
Mission Director, NHM, Akriti Sagar informed the meeting that more than 2.45 lakh vulnerable individuals have been screened under the campaign, while 70 percent of the enrolled vulnerable population has undergone X-ray examination, surpassing the national benchmark. She added that the Union Territory has achieved 90 percent utilisation of NAAT-based molecular diagnostic testing, ensuring faster and more accurate diagnosis.
The review revealed that 4,472 TB cases were notified across J&K during the first five months of 2026, accounting for nearly 40 percent of the annual target. More than 2.52 lakh presumptive TB tests have also been conducted during the current year.
Officials further informed the meeting that over 2,100 TB patients have received Poshan Kits under community support initiatives, while the number of registered Nikshay Mitras has crossed 13,100, reflecting growing public participation in supporting TB patients.
The Chief Secretary was also apprised that 1,504 TB patients have been assessed under Differentiated TB Care to ensure personalised treatment based on disease severity and associated vulnerabilities. Significant improvement was also reported in TB Preventive Treatment coverage, which increased from 7 percent in Phase-I to 34 percent in Phase-II.
Reiterating that tuberculosis elimination requires a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach, Dulloo called upon all government departments, district administrations, civil society organisations and volunteers to actively contribute towards making Jammu and Kashmir TB-free in the coming years. ANB
