Delhi LG reviews TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan; preventive care figures at 55% against 80% target

Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu has “flagged operational gaps” in the TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan in Delhi, including a shortage of radiographers that has stalled the deployment of AI-enabled handheld X-Ray machines, Lok Niwas said on Friday.

Sandhu reviewed the campaign’s progress in Delhi on Thursday, and directed officials to ensure time-bound saturation of preventive care of tuberculosis (TB). He suggested screening patients for TB at the point of hospital admission, regardless of the ailment they are being treated for, after obtaining consent of the patient or their family.

The Lieutenant Governor (LG) said this will ensure that TB cases are not missed and, if detected, treatment can begin early.

Lok Niwas said Delhi Health Minister Pankaj Singh, chief secretary and other senior officers attended the meeting. The LG directed an intensified media outreach to reduce stigma and promote proactive screening in high-risk areas.

He ordered the immediate clearing of the direct benefit transfer (DBT) backlog.

Reviewing the key indicators, the LG noted that TB Preventive Treatment (TPT) coverage among eligible household contacts stood at 55 per cent and Differentiated TB Care at 74 per cent, against the programme’s targets of 80 per cent and 90 per cent respectively by September 30.

He directed officials to ensure that these targets are met strictly within the given timeframe.

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The LG said the current numbers, while showing momentum, point to operational gaps that need to be addressed on priority. Sandhu directed that the shortage of radiographers holding back full deployment of AI-enabled handheld X-ray machines be addressed on priority to ensure available equipment is used optimally, Lok Niwas said.

Concluding the review, the LG directed that targeted outreach in high-risk wards and congregate settings be intensified to reduce stigma associated with the disease and drive higher screening numbers on the ground.