Jammu Tawi, Jun 16: Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo, today chaired a comprehensive review meeting of the ongoing Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan to assess the progress achieved across the Union Territory and chart out a strategy for accelerating efforts towards tuberculosis elimination.
Reviewing district-wise performance, the Chief Secretary noted that while several districts have achieved encouraging results, there remains considerable scope for improvement in certain critical indicators. He directed the Health & Medical Education Department to intensify efforts in districts reporting lower coverage of X-ray screening, differentiated TB care, TB preventive treatment and nutritional support.
He emphasized on expanding the coverage achieved in screening populations residing in identified high-risk villages, directing district administrations and health authorities to substantially increase the number of Nikshay Shivirs and ensure saturation coverage of all notified high-risk villages within the stipulated timelines. He emphasised optimum utilisation of hand-held X-ray units and greater outreach in remote and vulnerable areas.
While reviewing the implementation of the Nikshay Poshan Yojana, the Chief Secretary instructed the concerned authorities to complete all pending beneficiary authentication and ensure timely release of financial assistance to the eligible patients. He further directed that all pending cases be cleared through a special drive so that no patient is deprived of entitled benefits.
The Chief Secretary also called for intensified efforts to enhance TB Preventive Treatment coverage among household contacts and healthcare workers, strengthen differentiated care protocols, improve Poshan Kit distribution and expand community participation through Nikshay Mitras.
Dulloo also stressed the need to improve the uptake of the recently launched TB Mukt Bharat App and Khushi Chatbot, observing that digital tools can significantly enhance treatment adherence, patient counselling and service delivery. He directed all concerned doctors and field functionaries to ensure registration and active utilisation of the platform by every notified TB patient.
