TB a priority despite COVID-19: Dr Harsh Vardhan

New Delhi: Dr Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare has stated that the elimination of TB is a priority for the Indian government. He added that the Government is committed to scaling up access to free diagnosis through rapid molecular tests, provide information on drug resistance, and also a free treatment for all people with TB with best-quality drugs and regimens, financial and nutritional support to patients.

Dr Harsh Vardhan mentioned this during a digital interaction with Dr Lucica Ditiu, Executive Director, Stop TB partnership on 2nd September 2020. He added that the Government is committed to the use of digital technologies for notification and adherence and linking with interface non-governmental agencies to strengthen private sector engagement.

Health Minister emphasized that though the country is fighting with the COVID pandemic for the last eight months, it is ensured that the health department and health officials in all the states were constantly reminded about the target of elimination of TB by 2025. “Through our efforts on the front of fighting COVID, we have shown to the world that India can be a role model for other countries as we have achieved self reliance in terms of domestic manufacturing of masks and PPE kits”, he stated.

“India, under the guidance of our Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, has accorded a high priority for ending tuberculosis in India by 2025, five years ahead of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) target of 2030, and stepping forward as a leader for a TB-free world”, Dr Harsh Vardhan said during the digital interaction. In recent years, India has already taken several critical steps to showcase itself as a leader for a TB-free world, with impressive and ambitious policies and plans, he emphasized.

Dr Lucica applauded and thanked the Government of India for its commendable efforts in fighting TB.