NEW DELHI, Aug 12: Union Health Minister J P Nadda has urged parliamentarians from Jharkhand and Odisha to strengthen efforts at the constituency and district levels to speed up India’s campaign against tuberculosis, with greater focus on early detection, quality healthcare and community participation.
Nadda made the appeal while interacting with Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha members from the two states on the sidelines of the Monsoon Session of Parliament. The meeting was organised under the theme ‘Parliamentarians Championing a TB Mukt Bharat’, the Union Health Ministry said in a statement.
Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Anupriya Patel and Union Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth also attended the interaction.
The health minister emphasised that innovative methods of identifying TB cases, timely diagnosis, patient-focused treatment and active community involvement are essential to accelerating the country’s efforts to eliminate the disease.
Nadda asked MPs to work closely with district collectors, healthcare institutions and local administrations in their constituencies. He encouraged them to assess whether adequate TB related services are available and whether patients are receiving quality care.
He also called for stronger support for early diagnosis and timely treatment, stressing that local-level intervention can play a significant role in identifying patients and ensuring that they remain connected with healthcare services.
The minister further underlined the importance of sustained public awareness and social mobilisation. He said wider community participation is necessary to transform the fight against tuberculosis into a continuous ‘Jan Andolan’.
The interaction focused on strengthening the role of elected representatives in supporting the government’s TB free India vision. Greater coordination between parliamentarians, district authorities, health workers and communities was highlighted as an important step towards improving outcomes.
Nadda’s appeal comes as the Centre continues to push for more proactive approaches to TB detection and treatment, while seeking stronger participation from communities and public representatives.
The health ministry said parliamentarians can contribute by promoting awareness, encouraging people to seek testing at an early stage and monitoring the delivery of TB services within their constituencies.
The government has been emphasising a comprehensive approach to tuberculosis control that combines medical intervention with public awareness, early identification and community engagement.
Through stronger coordination at the grassroots level, the Centre aims to ensure that people suspected of having TB are identified promptly and receive appropriate treatment without delay.
