Delhi achieves over 95% of annual TB patient notification target

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Tuesday attended a sensitisation workshop for public representatives on the TB-Free India Campaign at the Delhi Secretariat. On the occasion, the Chief Minister disclosed that Delhi has consistently achieved more than 95 per cent of its annual TB patient notification target set by the Government of India. The Chief Minister also urged industries, trade organisations, corporate institutions, social organisations, RWAs, and religious institutions to join the campaign by becoming Nikshay Mitras.

The workshop was organised by the National Health Mission and the Delhi State Health Mission. Health Minister Dr Pankaj Kumar Singh, Members of Parliament, MLAs, councillors, and senior health and administrative officials attended.

On the Nikshay Mitra initiative, the Chief Minister said more than 3,300 Nikshay Mitras are already actively supporting TB patients in Delhi, through whose support over 1.2 lakh nutritional food baskets have been distributed to patients.

She urged all public representatives to expand this network in their respective areas, saying a Nikshay Mitra provides not only nutritional support but also dignity, confidence, and the reassurance to patients that society stands with them.

She said TB is now a curable disease and that with timely diagnosis and completion of treatment, patients can recover completely. She stressed that people must understand TB is nothing to be ashamed of. She said Members of Parliament, MLAs, and councillors are closest to the people, and if every public representative promotes awareness, encourages timely testing, and motivates patients to complete treatment, the campaign will gain momentum. She directed officials to ensure the campaign reaches every ward, assembly constituency, and local area so that more citizens become part of the movement.

The programme included a special awareness video on tuberculosis screened by the Health Department and a detailed presentation by the Delhi State Health Mission on the achievements, current status, and future roadmap of the campaign.

The Chief Minister visited awareness stalls at the event, including one on the Nikshay Mitra initiative, and held discussions with officials on campaign progress and efforts to strengthen public participation.

All participants, including public representatives, officials, and attendees, took a collective pledge to raise awareness about tuberculosis in their respective areas, support timely testing and treatment, encourage more people to become Nikshay Mitras, and actively work toward a TB-Free Delhi.

Health Minister Dr Pankaj Kumar Singh said the objective of the workshop is to enable public representatives to become effective partners in the TB elimination campaign in their areas.

Delhi, with its high population density and significant migrant population from states with varying TB burdens, presents particular challenges for detection and treatment completion. The Nikshay Mitra scheme, which pairs TB patients with volunteer supporters who provide nutritional and emotional support throughout their treatment course, addresses one of the key reasons for treatment dropout: the economic and social burden that a prolonged course of medication places on patients and their families.