Lucknow: In a significant push to eliminate tuberculosis (TB) from the country, a meeting was held on Friday at the Nagar Nigam Headquarters auditorium under the chairmanship of Mayor Sushma Kharkwal. The workshop was organized as part of the National Tuberculosis Elimination Program (NTEP) under the 100-day intensive TB eradication campaign initiated on January 1, following directives from Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. The event was conducted under the aegis of the District Health Committee with support from the Center for Advocacy and Research (CFAR).
Key Initiatives Discussed
During the workshop, councilors were informed about the Ayushman Vandan Yojana, focusing on creating Ayushman Cards for senior citizens aged 70 years and above. Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr. N.B. Singh urged councilors to ensure Ayushman Cards are issued to eligible individuals in their respective areas and to collaborate with the health department to achieve this goal.
Mayor Sushma Kharkwal called for collective action, emphasizing, “To make Lucknow healthy and TB-free, everyone’s cooperation is essential. Councilors represent and are in touch with local communities, making them vital in this fight against TB. Together, we can ensure that the nation wins and TB loses.”
Municipal Commissioner Indrajit Singh assured full support for the Prime Minister’s TB-Free Campaign, stressing the responsibility of all sections of society to participate actively and meet the campaign’s targets.
Expert Insights
Dr. Suryakant, Head of the Respiratory Medicine Department at KGMU, highlighted that the Prime Minister has set an ambitious goal to eliminate TB by the end of 2025. He revealed that Lucknow records approximately 15,000 new TB cases annually, necessitating a robust and united effort from the grassroots to the national level.
CMO Dr. N.B. Singh also encouraged councilors to become “Nikshay Mitras” by identifying TB patients in their areas and ensuring timely treatment. “Early diagnosis and treatment are critical to eliminating TB,” he said.
Campaign Overview
District TB Officer Dr. A.K. Singhal provided a detailed presentation on the 100-Day Intensive TB Campaign, outlining strategies for early diagnosis, treatment, and community involvement.
Oath for TB Eradication
At the program’s conclusion, Mayor Sushma Kharkwal administered an oath to all attendees, pledging their commitment to TB eradication.
Attendance
The event saw participation from Deputy Municipal Commissioner Lalit Kumar, Deputy CMO Dr. Vinay Mishra, District Health Education and Information Officer Yogesh Raghuvanshi, councilors, senior treatment supervisors from NTEP, representatives from CFAR, municipal employees, and other stakeholders.
Moving Forward
The campaign underlines the urgent need for collaborative efforts to achieve a TB-free India. As Lucknow plays its part, it reflects the collective spirit that could drive significant changes across the nation.
