New Initiative Targets Early Detection and Awareness of Tuberculosis in India

National: The Illness to Wellness Foundation (ITWF) has joined hands with the Central TB Division (CTBD) of the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW), Government of India, and has launched a focused campaign to support the National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP).

The initiative aims to strengthen India’s fight against tuberculosis through a series of targeted interventions aligned with the government’s vision of a TB-free nation.

As part of the interventions by the Illness to Wellness Foundation, a two-day TB screening medical camp was successfully conducted in Epuripalem village, Chirala, Andhra Pradesh. The camp was organised through a collaborative effort involving the District Medical & Health Department – TB Wing, the FINISH Society NGO, and the PROTECT NGO.

This initiative aimed to enhance early detection and awareness around tuberculosis in rural communities, in alignment with the broader goals of the National TB Elimination Programme.

The focused campaign by the Illness to Wellness Foundation aims to support the National TB Elimination Program (NTEP) by complementing existing efforts. A key focus is on promoting timely diagnosis of TB through awareness drives, screening camps, and grassroots capacity-building.

Equally important is reducing the stigma around TB, encouraging open conversations so that individuals feel empowered to seek treatment without fear or hesitation.

Talking about the importance of the campaign, Mr. Anil Rajput, Chairman, Advisory Council, Illness to Wellness Foundation, said, “At the Illness to Wellness Foundation, we are deeply committed to supporting India’s vision of a TB-Mukt Bharat.

By joining hands with the government, private sector, and civil society, our goal is to drive awareness, ensure early detection, and empower communities with access to timely treatment.

TB is preventable and curable, but only if we confront stigma, strengthen grassroots interventions, and promote treatment adherence. The Foundation, along with our partners, will continue to expand the interventions across India in the coming months and contribute to the collective mission of a TB-Mukt Bharat.”

To ensure successful treatment outcomes, the initiative promotes adherence and completion of prescribed regimens through counselling, follow-ups, and monitoring tools.

It also seeks to strengthen engagement with communities and stakeholders, including private healthcare providers, to standardise care and reporting in line with NTEP protocols. Regular monitoring and evaluation are integral to measuring impact and ensuring activities remain aligned with national TB elimination targets.

The district-level efforts at the medical camp at Epuripalem village were led by Dr. Sadiq, District Leprosy and TB Officer (DLTO), who was joined by a team of medical professionals and support staff.

Active participation and on-ground support were also provided by ITC Chirala Factory. Their coordination with health officials and local NGOs ensured smooth execution and community mobilisation, enabling the camp to reach a significant number of beneficiaries.