Early Times Report
JAMMU, Dec 7: In a significant step toward eliminating tuberculosis (TB) in India, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, along with key stakeholders, launched the 100-Day TB Elimination Campaign. The Jammu Division officially flagged off the campaign from Block Marh, Jammu, with the Honorable MLA Marh, Sh. Surinder Bhagat, inaugurating the initiative.
The event took place under the leadership of Dr. Syed Abid Rasheed Shah (IAS), Administrative Secretary for Health and Medical Education, and with the guidance of Dr. Rakesh Magotra, Director Health Services Jammu, and Dr. Harbaksh Singh, Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Jammu. Officials like SDM Marh Mr. Athar Amin and health department representatives including Dr. Harjeet Rai, State Nodal Officer NHM, and Dr. Jyoti Jolly, STO Jammu, participated in the launch.
The 100-day campaign will be implemented across 347 districts in 33 states and union territories. Its key goals are:
Increasing TB case detection
Reducing delays in diagnosis
Improving treatment outcomes, especially among high-risk groups
The initiative is part of the National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP) and aligns with recent policies like the Nikshay Poshan Yojana and Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan, focusing on financial aid for TB patients and identifying household contacts.
Modern Diagnostics: Expanding access to advanced diagnostic tools.
Focused Screening: Screening vulnerable populations at higher risk.
Targeted Care: Specialized medical attention for high-risk groups such as the elderly, diabetics, malnourished, smokers, alcoholics, and HIV patients.
Nutritional Support: Offering health and nutrition aid to improve treatment adherence and outcomes.
The initiative emphasizes "Jan-bhagidari" (public participation) to strengthen TB management efforts. The State TB Cell and the CMO Jammu expressed a commitment to identifying TB cases among high-risk groups and working on awareness, early detection, and treatment.
At the end of the launch, the Block Medical Officer of CHC Marh and the Chief Medical Officer of Jammu thanked the public and all stakeholders for their support, emphasizing that community participation would play a vital role in reducing TB burden and improving public health outcomes across the region. |
