JAMMU, October 22: The Jammu and Kashmir government has set a 10-day deadline for underperforming districts to improve implementation of the Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan, with directions to strengthen screening, speed up diagnosis and ensure timely support to patients.
Commissioner Secretary, Health and Medical Education, Saugat Biswas, issued the directions while chairing a review meeting on the programme’s progress across the Union Territory. Mission Director, National Health Mission (NHM), J&K, Athar Aamir Ul Shafi Khan, presented a detailed assessment of implementation.
Expressing concern over poor performance in some districts, Biswas directed State and District Tuberculosis Officers to coordinate with Deputy Commissioners, Directors of Health Services and Chief Medical Officers to address gaps within 10 days. Daily performance monitoring and reporting to the respective Deputy Commissioners were made mandatory.
He called for better utilisation of X-ray machines, asking officials to explore increasing daily testing beyond the prescribed benchmarks of 50 tests for mobile machines and 20 for fixed machines, wherever feasible.
Taking note of shortages of chips and cartridges affecting screening, the Commissioner Secretary directed State Tuberculosis Officers to coordinate with the concerned agencies to ensure uninterrupted functioning of diagnostic equipment.
He also directed officials to complete the identification and screening of family members of TB patients within 10 days to facilitate early detection and treatment.
To improve patient support, officers were asked to expedite financial assistance under the Nikshay Poshan Yojana and streamline digital authentication to ensure timely payments. The meeting also stressed strengthening differentiated care for TB patients.
Biswas called for greater community participation through youth-led JOSH teams, community and religious leaders, National Cadet Corps volunteers and non-governmental organisations to promote screening, encourage early diagnosis and reduce stigma associated with tuberculosis.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Commissioners, principals of Government Medical Colleges, senior Health and Medical Education Department officials, Directors of Health Services Jammu and Kashmir, State Tuberculosis Officers, Chief Medical Officers and District Tuberculosis Officers.
The government reiterated that coordinated action, regular monitoring and measurable improvement in district-level performance were essential to achieving the national goal of TB elimination.
