New Delhi:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday launched a campaign to eradicate tuberculosis (TB) from India by 2025, five years ahead of a globally-set deadline. He also inaugurated the Delhi End-TB Summit in the country capital.
"A target has been set to end TB globally by 2030. We have set an aim to eradicate TB from India five years ahead by 2025," PM Modi said.
PM Modi after launching the Delhi End-TB Summit, launched the TB-free India Campaign to take the activities under the National Strategic Plan for TB Elimination forward in a mission mode.
He also added that the frontline workers are playing a crucial role in eliminating TB along with the people who have demonstrated great courage in defeating this disease.
“To achieve the target of eliminating TB by 2025, right approach is required. I have personally written to all state governments to be part of the mission,” added PM Modi.
He also stated that TB mainly affects poorest of the poor and every step taken towards the elimination of this disease is a step towards improving the lives of the poor.
Citing the examples of Mission Indradhanush and Swachh Bharat, the Prime Minister said that immunization and sanitation coverage has increased drastically in the last four years, therefore a right approach is needed to achieve the targets.
J P Nadda, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare; Anupriya Patel, Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare; Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General, WHO; Ms.Lucica Difiu, Ex. Director, Stop TB Partnership along with the Health Ministers from 20 countries were also present at the inaugural function of the summit.
The summit is hosted by Government of India, WHO South East Asia Regional Office (SEARO) and Stop TB Partnership.
“To achieved ‘End TB’ targets, the Government has rolled out new `National Strategic Plan (NSP) to end TB by 2025` which has been appreciated by the global community as a model plan for combating Tuberculosis,” said Nadda.
