Union Minister for Health Urges Corporates and Different Stakeholders to Support ‘TB Free India’

Editor’s note:

-MoHFW, GoI champions the CALL TO ACTION FOR TB FREE INDIA. TB Free India is an initiative under the global Challenge TB project funded by USAID and led by The Union South East Asia(USEA) office in India sin partnership with WHO.

-Senior officials from WHO , USAID, MoHFW, WB, BMGF among others extend commitement to support TB Free India.

-India continues to be the highest TB burden country in the world with an estimated 2.1million TB cases in 2013 (WHO report 2014)

Honourable Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Shri J. P. Nadda today launched a nationwide campaign aimed at TB Free India and urged for support from all stakeholders to this initiative . On this occasion,  the minister along with representatives from The Union, World Health Organisation, USAID – US Agency for International Development, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, World Bank, The Global Fund, Tuberculosis Association of India, Indian Medical Association, Indian Association of Paediatrics among many others pledged their support to the national campaign.

The call to action to end TB in India is a part of the global initiative “Challenge TB” led internationally by USAID and aligns with the Government of India’s vision of a TB free India. The ‘TB Free India’ echoes the sentiments of the WHO’s ‘End TB Strategy’ and the country is now gearing up to intensify its TB control efforts through innovative policies and strategies.    

Commenting on the campaign, Honourable Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare Shri J. P. Nadda said, "The Government of India is committed to end TB from the country and realise the dream of TB free India where all patients will receive accurate diagnosis, appropriate treatment and complete care. He also highlighted the need of innovation which is required for TB care. He also urged  all stakeholders to unite in the fight against TB and this Call to Action is such a kind of platform.  He also announced the launch of a Missed Call Camapign , massive media campaign and special strategy for addressing key polulations."

Commenting on the launch, Mr. Jagdish Prasad, DGHS, MoHFW, said “I envision a seamless , effective program, that works with all of you to address each and every challenge in controlling TB. Our Primary challenge is diagnisos. The Indian patient urgenty needs quick and accurate diagnosis of TB. I also want every single case to be tested for drug resistance at the earliest possible. I believe this is far more cost eefective than testing them later when cases have become extensively drug resisitant”

Mr. Anshu Prakash, Joint Secretary, MoHFW, activities under this Challenge TB work plan will be designed to develop a Call to Action to End TB as the vehicle for mobilizing all relevant sectors of Indian society, developing new policies and partnerships that support TB control efforts, and increasing domestic resources for TB control activities on a large scale.

Dr Sunil D. Khaparde, DDG TB – CTD, Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP) has made significant achievements since inception. However, there are challenges to reach vulnerable key populations, which can reach through partnerships and community engagement. 

Commenting on the initiative, Mr. Jose Luis Castro, Executive Director, The Union said “This initiatve will contribute to TB Control efforts inIndia thorugh a Call to Action to end TB In India. The goal of thee Call to Action is two-fold: to mobilize a wide range of stakeholders to demand and sustain high-level domestic commitment to end TB in India; and to tap the energy and influence of key stakeholders to drive political, administrative, and technical solutions to specific barriers affecting TB control in India.”

About International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union):

For nearly 100 years, The Union has drawn from the best scientific evidence and the skills, expertise and reach of its staff, consultants and membership in order to advance solutions to the most pressing public health challenges affecting people living in poverty around the world. With nearly 17,000 members and subscribers from 156 countries, The Union has its headquarters in Paris and regional offices in Africa, the Asia Pacific, Europe, Latin America, North America and South-East Asia. The Union’s scientific departments focus on tuberculosis and HIV, lung health and non-communicable diseases, tobacco control and operational research.