Delhi shows encouraging trend in tuberculosis testing, treatment: LG Sandhu

Delhi Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu on Wednesday said the capital is performing beyond the national average in containment of tuberculosis with 88 per cent NAAT testing and 47 per cent TB Preventive Treatment (TPT) coverage.

Sandhu reviewed progress of ‘TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan’ along with Chief Secretary Rajeev Verma and senior Health department officers, on Tuesday.

Tuberculosis (TB) is a lung infection caused by a bacterium Mcobacterium tuberculosis.

In a post on X, the lieutenant governor said, “Encouraging that Delhi is performing ahead of the national average, achieving 88 per cent upfront NAAT testing and 47 per cent TB Preventive Treatment (TPT) coverage.”

The NAAT (Nucleic Acid Amplification Techniques) tests are diagnostic techniques for tuberculosis detection through sputum or tongue swabs in short time period.

Sandhu directed the officials to expedite disbursement of benefits under the ‘Nikshay Poshan Yojana’ through direct benefit transfer (DBT) and address operational bottlenecks to further strengthen X-ray screening in high-risk wards.

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He said the government is committed to enhancing early detection, ensuring timely treatment, fostering active community participation, and delivering accessible, quality healthcare to every citizen of the national capital, for realising Prime Minister’s vision of ‘TB Mukt Bharat’.