Jahangeer Ganaie
Srinagar, Jan 22: The Health Department in Kashmir has intensified its 100-day Tuberculosis (TB) elimination campaign to screen 2.5 lakh vulnerable persons in Srinagar and Baramulla districts, officials said on Wednesday.
Officials informed that the campaign, launched on December 7, 2024, under the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP) by the Health and Medical Education Department of J&K, aims to eradicate TB from these districts. Srinagar, classified in the Gold Category, has seen a 60–80% decline in TB cases, while Baramulla, in the Bronze Category, has observed over a 20% reduction.
So far, 70,000 people have been screened, with 60,000 undergoing X-rays and 10,000 tested using NAAT (Nucleic Acid Amplification Test). “Six TB cases have been detected and notified, with all patients receiving free treatment, including monthly nutritional support of Rs 1,000 under the PMTBMBA scheme. Nutritional kits are being provided to ensure early recovery,” they said.
To facilitate testing and spread awareness, Nikshay Vahan vehicles have been deployed, and IEC (Information, Education, and Communication) materials distributed. Local leaders, including elected representatives, religious figures and self-help groups under the NRLM, have been actively involved in sensitizing the public about TB symptoms, prevention and treatment.
A senior health official said that TB cases in Kashmir have consistently decreased over the years. Since 2018, 21,462 TB cases have been reported, with annual figures showing a steady decline: 2018: 4,774 cases, 2019: 4,080 cases, 2020: 2,840 cases (amid reduced screening during the COVID-19 pandemic), 2022: 3,376 cases, 2023: 2,956 cases.
Currently, five districts in Kashmir, including four from south Kashmir and Budgam, have been declared TB-free. Efforts are ongoing to replicate this success in all panchayats in Baramulla, following Srinagar’s earlier milestone of achieving TB-free status, the official said.
He said despite progress, challenges such as stigma, delayed diagnosis and treatment dropouts remain. The 100-day campaign aims to address these issues through intensive screening, public awareness, and stakeholder involvement, he added.
“While many people delay seeking treatment in the early stages of TB, the disease is fully treatable with timely intervention and proper medication,” the official said, adding that the ultimate goal remains the elimination of TB in Kashmir by 2025 to ensure accessible, free and high-quality TB care for all.
