Tuberculosis Cases in Haryana Surge by 132% in Nine Years, State Launches Elimination Campaign

Haryana has witnessed a dramatic surge in tuberculosis cases, with the number of patients rising from 35,000 in 2015 to 81,500 in 2024 – a staggering 132% increase. The Director General Health Services (DGHS), Dr. Kuldeep Singh, highlighted that Gurugram and Faridabad districts are the most significantly impacted, each reporting over 8,000 cases this year.

TB Elimination Campaign 

In a landmark initiative, Chief Minister Nayab Saini launched a 100-day National Nikshay TB Elimination Campaign, demonstrating the state's commitment to addressing the growing health challenge. The campaign focuses on a comprehensive 4T approach: Test, Track, Treat, and Technology. 

The TB Elimination Campaign was graced by a distinguished lineup of political dignitaries, highlighting the event's national significance. Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare Jagat Prakash Nadda was the chief guest, accompanied by Mohanlal Badoli, BJP State President, Anil Vij, prominent MLA, Health Minister MLA Arti Rao, and former Haryana Vidhan Sabha Speaker GianChand Gupta. Their collective presence underscored the campaign's importance, transforming it from a mere health initiative to a comprehensive social mission with strong political backing and strategic commitment to public health.

Emphasizing the state's proactive strategy, CM Saini expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Union Health Minister. He highlighted that 45,000 TB patients have already been adopted by citizens and institutions across the state, showcasing a collaborative approach to healthcare.

Factors Behind the Surge

The rapid spread of TB can be attributed to several key factors. Dr. Kuldeep Singh explained that highly populated and congested areas like Gurugram, Faridabad, and Mewat create ideal conditions for the disease to spread quickly. Notably, 46% of the patients were found to be under-nourished, with low body-mass index contributing to their vulnerability. 

Strategic Testing and Detection

The state has significantly ramped up its TB detection efforts, expanding testing from 2 lakh tests in 2015 to 8 lakh tests in 2024. This strategic approach includes testing family members and close contacts of known TB patients, as well as individuals showing symptoms. Comparatively, neighboring states like Punjab and Himachal Pradesh have reported fewer cases. 

Comprehensive Elimination Campaign

The state has launched an aggressive TB elimination campaign, deploying 65 mobile vans across high-risk areas to conduct check-up camps and initiate treatment. DGHS Dr. Manish Bansal emphasized the critical nature of early detection, noting that one TB patient can potentially infect 10 new people in a single year. 

The overall death rate due to TB has shown a promising decline, dropping from 28 deaths per one lakh infected population in 2015 to 22 deaths per one lakh in 2024. The state is now focusing special attention on vulnerable populations, particularly those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds and high-risk areas.

Key Campaign Highlights:

• 100-day National Nikshay TB Elimination Campaign
• 45,000 TB patients adopted by citizens and institutions
  4T approach: Test, Track, Treat, Technology
• 65 mobile health vans deployed across high-risk areas
• Focused strategy on early detection and treatment 

CM's Vision: Mobilizing Community Support 

Speaking at the campaign launch, CM Saini expressed heartfelt gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Union Health Minister for their vision in tackling tuberculosis. He emphasized the state's unique approach of community participation, highlighting that 45,000 TB patients have already been adopted by local citizens and institutions. 

The 4T Approach: A Comprehensive Strategy

The campaign is built on a revolutionary 4T formula:

• Test: Extensive and strategic medical screening
• Track: Comprehensive patient monitoring
• Treat: Targeted and timely medical intervention
• Technology: Leveraging advanced medical technologies 

Call to Action

CM Saini has invited family members across the state to become "free friends" in the TB Free India Campaign. The message is clear: tuberculosis is not just a medical challenge, but a collective social responsibility. The launch of the 100-day National Nikshay campaign from Haryana is being viewed as a potential milestone in India's journey towards becoming a TB-free nation. It represents a model of proactive healthcare that could be replicated across other states.