Chhattisgarh declares 4,106 panchayats TB-free in major public health milestone

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai hailed the state’s significant achievement in the battle against tuberculosis (TB), with 4,106 gram panchayats now officially declared TB-free. The milestone aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s national goal to eliminate TB from India by 2025.

Chhattisgarh was recently honoured at the national level for its outstanding performance in implementing the TB-Free Panchayat Programme, which has rapidly transformed community health outcomes through focused planning and public participation.

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The ‘Nikshay-Niramay Chhattisgarh – 100-Day Campaign’, launched on December 7, 2024, under the leadership of Chief Minister Sai and Health Minister Shyam Bihari Jaiswal, aimed to intensify the detection and treatment of TB at the grassroots. The state health department conducted door-to-door screenings across all districts, identifying high-risk individuals and facilitating immediate diagnostic testing.

The campaign achieved major outreach as over 36 lakh people were screened, more than 4.5 lakh underwent X-rays, and over 1.5 lakh were tested using CBNAAT machines, a highly sensitive diagnostic tool for TB detection.

Chief Minister Sai emphasised the importance of public involvement in health missions, stating, “When administrative will is matched with people’s participation, transformation is inevitable. Chhattisgarh’s TB-free panchayats are a reflection of this synergy.”

A cornerstone of the campaign has been the Nikshay Mitra initiative, under which individuals, public representatives, and institutions adopt TB patients and support them with monthly nutritional aid. More than 15,000 Nikshay Mitras have extended support to over 34,000 TB patients so far. The Governor, Chief Minister, and Health Minister have themselves adopted patients, inspiring large-scale community involvement.

The campaign has also prioritised socially and economically vulnerable groups, including prison inmates, senior citizens in old-age homes, students in hostels, and labourers in industrial areas. Special medical camps were organised to ensure no one was left behind.

Health Minister Shyam Bihari Jaiswal said, “The success of the campaign is a testament to the commitment of our health workers, volunteers, and the people of Chhattisgarh. Our model combines compassion with action, ensuring comprehensive TB care.”

Chhattisgarh’s approach to TB elimination, combining early diagnosis, targeted outreach, and community-based care, is now being considered a model for replication in other states. As the state continues on its path toward a TB free future, it stands as a powerful example of effective public health governance.