Srinagar: Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo on Wednesday reviewed the progress of the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP) and was informed that Jammu and Kashmir has achieved 100 per cent coverage of identified high-risk villages under the ongoing TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan.
According to an official statement, 1,525 Nikshay Shivirs have been conducted, covering all 1,518 identified high-risk villages across the Union Territory.
Chairing the meeting, Dulloo directed all districts to intensify contact tracing of notified tuberculosis patients to ensure timely screening and treatment of household and close contacts. He also stressed wider use of the ‘Khushi Chatbot’ integrated with the TB Mukt Bharat App to improve patient awareness, counselling and treatment adherence.
The meeting was informed that 6.85 lakh people in high-risk villages have been screened under the campaign, while the number of individuals undergoing digital chest X-ray screening has increased from 1.72 lakh to over 3.15 lakh. The overall chest X-ray coverage has risen to nearly 79 per cent, with Baramulla, Kupwara, Srinagar and Budgam recording high screening rates.
Officials said 95,810 microbiological investigations have been carried out, of which 91 per cent were conducted using rapid molecular tests (NAAT). The proportion of eligible household contacts initiated on TB preventive treatment has increased from 34 per cent to 65 per cent.
The meeting was also informed that nutritional support under the programme has expanded, with Poshan Kits distributed to nearly 3,930 patients, covering 86 per cent of consenting beneficiaries.
According to the statement, more than 3.19 lakh presumptive TB diagnostic tests have been conducted across Jammu and Kashmir during the first six months of the year. Officials also informed the meeting that although 88 deaths of TB patients were recorded on the Nikshay portal between January and June 2026, detailed death audits found none to be directly attributable to tuberculosis.
The meeting was attended by Commissioner Secretary, Health and Medical Education, M. Raju, Director SKIMS, Mission Director, National Health Mission, principals of government medical colleges, directors of health services and other senior health officials.
