Jammu

Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday reviewed the progress of the Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan in the Union Territory, reiterating the administration’s commitment to eliminating tuberculosis.

Chairing a high-level meeting, Sinha stressed the importance of detailed analysis of TB cases and treatment outcomes, and called for strong inter-departmental coordination supported by community participation.

He directed the Health Department and district administrations to intensify testing efforts and focus on mapping vulnerable populations. He also instructed officials to scale up door-to-door Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) campaigns to raise awareness about TB symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment availability.

An official spokesperson said the meeting assessed district-wise data on treatment outcomes, TB case notifications, presumptive testing rates, and drug-resistant TB cases. Progress under the Nikshay Poshan Yojana and Ni-kshay Mitra initiatives was also reviewed.

Special emphasis was placed on achieving full saturation of Ayushman Bharat Golden Cards, particularly for TB patients. The meeting also discussed incentives for ASHA workers, implementation of the “One Patient–One Ni-kshay Mitra” model, and procurement of diagnostic and treatment equipment.

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District administrations were asked to adopt best practices to achieve the goal of a TB-free Jammu and Kashmir, the spokesperson said, adding that the UT has achieved 99 per cent coverage of vulnerable populations, covering over 28.6 lakh individuals.