Achieving TB-free J&K

On World TB Day, Jammu and Kashmir is reminded that the battle against Tuberculosis is far from over. Despite sustained efforts, the region reportedly recorded 11,900 TB cases in 2025, underlining the gap between intent and outcomes. In December 2024, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo urged the Health and Medical Education Department to intensify efforts to make J&K TB-free by the end of 2025 under the PM TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan. While the vision is commendable, the latest figures suggest that systemic challenges persist. Eradicating TB in J&K requires addressing key issues. First, early detection remains inadequate, particularly in remote and hilly areas where access to diagnostic facilities is limited. Second, treatment adherence continues to be a concern, often due to lack of awareness, social stigma and economic hardships faced by patients. Third, nutritional deficiencies, closely linked to poverty, further weaken immunity and complicate recovery. Moreover, the healthcare system must strengthen grassroots surveillance and ensure uninterrupted drug supply. Community engagement is equally crucial; awareness campaigns must dismantle stigma and encourage timely testing and treatment. The role of frontline health workers, especially in rural belts, needs reinforcement through training and incentives. The fight against TB is not merely medical, it is social and economic. A coordinated approach involving government agencies, healthcare providers, and communities is essential. J&K stands at a critical juncture where promises must translate into measurable progress. On this World TB Day, the message is clear i.e. eliminating TB demands urgency, accountability, and sustained action. Only then can the dream of a TB-free Jammu and Kashmir become a reality.