Nadia District Leads in TB-Free Initiative Under Prime Ministers Campaign

Nadia, November 2 (Daily Kiran) : Nadia district in West Bengal has emerged as a leader in the Prime Minister‘s TB-Free India initiative, achieving remarkable success in tuberculosis (TB) elimination. According to district administration data, out of 185 gram panchayats, 15 have reported no TB cases in the past three years, earning them the ‘Gold Standard’ recognition under the national program.

Furthermore, 33 gram panchayats have not recorded any TB cases in the last two years, qualifying for the ‘Silver Standard.’ In the last year alone, 50 panchayats have also reported no cases, achieving the ‘Bronze Standard.’ Overall, 98 out of 185 gram panchayats in Nadia are now considered TB-free.

District Magistrate Dr. Shreekant Palli attributed this success to ongoing efforts in TB identification, treatment, monitoring, and awareness campaigns. He noted that nearly two decades ago, the number of TB patients in Nadia was about 30 times higher than today. The situation has significantly improved.

Dr. Palli explained that TB treatment can take a long time, ranging from six to 18 months, depending on the severity of the disease. He highlighted a common issue where patients would stop their medication after feeling initial relief from symptoms, which increased the risk of drug-resistant TB, making it harder to treat.

To combat this, there has been a strong emphasis on ensuring that patients complete their treatment and adhere to their prescribed medication schedules. Currently, around 350 volunteers, known as ‘Nikshay Mitras,’ are actively assisting patients with treatment and nutritional support in Nadia district.