PM Modi Stresses Early Detection, AI Tools in Mission to End TB by 2025

PM Modi encouraged Ni-kshay Mitras—volunteers who support TB patients—to use technology-based tools to connect with patients.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday chaired a high-level meeting to review the progress of India's National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP).

The meeting reaffirmed the country's commitment to eradicating tuberculosis (TB) by 2025, five years ahead of the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) deadline.

During the meeting, the Prime Minister called for scaling up targeted interventions and replicating successful strategies in early detection. Emphasising the need for a more granular analysis of TB trends, he urged officials to study patterns based on geographic and occupational data.

"This will help identify high-risk groups who require early testing and treatment, particularly workers in construction, mining, textile mills, and similar sectors," he stated.

Strengthening the Ni-kshay Ecosystem & Community Engagement

PM Modi encouraged Ni-kshay Mitras—volunteers who support TB patients—to use technology-based tools to connect with patients. He suggested leveraging interactive and user-friendly digital methods to educate patients about the disease and ensure treatment adherence.

Launched in 2018, the PM-Ni-kshay scheme provides TB patients with direct financial support of INR 1,000 per month to aid in nutrition.

So far, over 2.94 million food baskets have been distributed through 255,000 registered Ni-kshay Mitras, according to a statement from the Prime Minister's Office.

Progress Reflected in WHO's Global TB Report

India continues to bear the highest burden of TB globally, accounting for 26% of total cases, according to the World Health Organization's (WHO) Global Tuberculosis Report 2024.

However, the report also reflects notable progress. TB incidence in India declined by 18% between 2015 and 2023, from 237 to 195 cases per 100,000 population—nearly double the global average reduction of 9%. TB mortality in India dropped by 21%, and treatment coverage improved to 85%.

The Prime Minister also reviewed key enhancements under the NTEP. The TB diagnostic network now includes 8,540 Nucleic Acid Amplification Testing (NAAT) labs, 87 culture and drug susceptibility labs, and over 26,700 X-ray units.

Among them are 500 AI-enabled handheld X-ray devices, with another 1,000 planned for deployment.

Officials provided updates on new measures such as a shorter treatment regimen for drug-resistant TB and the development of indigenous molecular diagnostics. Nutrition-based interventions also remain a key focus.

The recently concluded 100-day TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan, which covered 445 high-focus and aspirational districts, was highlighted during the meeting.

The campaign screened over 129.7 million individuals and identified approximately 719,000 new TB cases, including 285,000 asymptomatic ones.

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