TB Screening – India Expands Early Detection Drive To Strengthen Lung Healthcare
TB Screening – India has intensified its nationwide fight against tuberculosis by expanding large-scale screening, improving early diagnosis systems, and widening healthcare access for vulnerable communities across the country.
India has launched one of the world’s biggest tuberculosis screening and early detection campaigns as part of its long-term strategy to eliminate the disease, Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda said during a global health event in Geneva on Wednesday.
Focus on Early Diagnosis and Accessible Care
Speaking at a ministerial discussion on lung health screening during the 79th World Health Assembly, the minister stated that early identification of TB cases and timely medical intervention remain central to building stronger healthcare systems. The event was organised by the Stop TB Partnership along with support from India, Japan, the Philippines, and Zambia.
Nadda said the country’s National TB Elimination Programme, operating under the broader vision of a TB-free India, has significantly increased efforts to identify cases at an earlier stage. According to him, stronger screening systems not only help save lives but also reduce financial hardship for affected families and improve overall public health outcomes.
Outreach Programmes Expanded Across High-Risk Areas
The minister highlighted that India has widened active case-finding efforts through house-to-house screening campaigns, mobile medical teams, and awareness drives in regions considered vulnerable to tuberculosis transmission. Special focus has been placed on underserved communities and high-risk populations where access to healthcare remains limited.
He noted that community-based programmes are helping health authorities identify patients earlier, preventing severe illness and limiting the spread of infection.
Modern Diagnostic Technology Rolled Out Nationwide
India has also increased the use of advanced diagnostic systems to improve detection of TB and other respiratory illnesses. Molecular testing platforms, digital chest X-ray services, handheld screening devices, and decentralised testing centres are now being used in several regions, particularly remote and rural districts.
Artificial intelligence-supported diagnostic tools are also being integrated into the screening process to reduce delays in identifying infections. Nadda stressed that technological innovation should benefit every section of society and reach even the most remote areas of the country.
Role of Primary Healthcare and Community Support
The minister said reforms under the Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centres have helped bring essential healthcare services closer to local communities. He also acknowledged the contribution of frontline healthcare workers in strengthening awareness and improving access to treatment.
According to Nadda, medical diagnosis alone is not enough in the fight against tuberculosis. He underlined the importance of nutritional support, social protection measures, treatment monitoring, and community participation in helping patients complete recovery successfully.
Under the TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan, citizens, institutions, private organisations, and local groups have been encouraged to provide support to TB patients and their families.
Digital Tools Introduced To Improve Patient Access
The Union Health Ministry has also introduced digital support systems to assist patients seeking information and treatment. One of the newly launched platforms is the TB Mukt Bharat App, which includes an AI-powered multilingual chatbot named “Khushi”.
The application provides information related to symptoms, government support schemes, and nearby diagnostic centres. Officials believe the tool can help reduce delays between the appearance of symptoms and the start of treatment, especially in areas with limited healthcare awareness.
India Calls For Stronger Global Cooperation
During the international gathering, India also proposed broader global cooperation on lung health and respiratory disease management. Nadda urged countries to integrate lung healthcare into universal health coverage programmes and improve affordable access to diagnostic technologies.
He further called for stronger primary healthcare systems, increased investment in innovation, local manufacturing of medical technologies, and sustainable funding for early detection programmes targeting tuberculosis and other lung diseases.
Reaffirming India’s commitment to ending TB ahead of global targets, the minister said the campaign against tuberculosis can also strengthen wider healthcare infrastructure, improve nutrition standards, and support healthier living conditions.
India had earlier announced its goal of eliminating tuberculosis by 2025, ahead of the United Nations’ global timeline. Over the past decade, the country has recorded a 21 percent reduction in TB incidence and a 25 percent decline in TB-related deaths. Treatment coverage has now reached 92 percent, while the number of undetected cases has fallen sharply compared to previous years