India to Launch 100-Day TB Elimination Campaign on World TB Day 2026

India is poised to significantly escalate its fight against Tuberculosis (TB) with the launch of an intensive 'TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan – 100 Days Campaign' on World TB Day, March 24, 2026. The national event, scheduled to take place at Gautam Buddha University in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, will be presided over by Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda. This major initiative underscores India's unwavering commitment to achieving a TB-Free nation, aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of a 'TB-Mukt Bharat'. The 100-day campaign is designed to bolster India's National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP) by focusing on accelerated case detection, enhancing treatment adherence, and strengthening the last-mile delivery of TB services, particularly in high-burden areas. During the event, Minister Nadda will also launch the 'TB Mukt Bharat App' and the 'TB Mukt Urban Ward Initiative', which are crucial digital and community-centric tools aimed at improving surveillance, patient support, and localized interventions. World TB Day, observed annually on March 24th, commemorates Dr. Robert Koch's discovery of the bacterium causing TB in 1882. The theme for World TB Day 2026 is "Yes! We Can End TB!". This theme resonates strongly with India's intensified efforts to combat the disease, reflecting a renewed commitment to collaborative action and evidence-based strategies. The campaign seeks to engage various stakeholders, including Union and State government officials, public health experts, development partners, healthcare professionals, and community representatives, fostering a 'Whole-of-Society and 'Whole-of-Government' approach to TB elimination. The 'TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan' is a continuation of India's long-standing efforts to eliminate TB. Previous iterations of the campaign, such as one launched on December 7, 2024, focused on high-priority districts and demonstrated significant success in reducing TB incidence and mortality. The National Strategic Plan (NSP) for TB Elimination 2017–2025, which forms the broader framework for these campaigns, aims to reduce TB incidence, enhance diagnostic and treatment capabilities, and address the socio-economic impact of the disease. India has already made significant progress, with a reported decline in TB incidence rate by 17.7% from 237 per 100,000 in 2015 to 195 per 100,000 in 2023, and TB-related deaths declining by 21.4% during the same period. The renewed campaign for 2026 also emphasizes community involvement, with efforts to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and foster community engagement to combat TB. Initiatives like the Ni-kshay Mitra program, which provides psycho-social support to TB patients, have seen over 2 lakh My Bharat Volunteers register, reflecting widespread public participation. Vulnerability mapping and systematic screening of high-risk populations, including the use of AI-enabled handheld X-rays for early detection, are integral parts of the strategy. Furthermore, nutritional support under the Ni-kshay Poshan Yojana has been doubled to Rs 1000/month/patient to ensure successful treatment outcomes. The event on March 24, 2026, will also be attended by the Hon'ble Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Smt. Anupriya Patel, and Deputy Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Shri Brajesh Pathak, alongside other senior officials. This multi-sectoral involvement highlights the government's comprehensive approach to ending TB in India, striving to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals related to TB elimination ahead of global targets. The upcoming 100-day campaign is a critical step in solidifying India's position as a leader in global TB elimination efforts and ensuring a healthier future for its citizens.

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