India Pharma Outlook Team | Thursday, 13 August 2026
India’s TB screening drive has uncovered a major number of cases, highlighting the scale of hidden tuberculosis.
More than 2.2 crore people were screened during the 100-day campaign, with over 7 lakh TB cases detected. Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda has now asked MPs from Jharkhand and Odisha to strengthen the TB elimination campaign in their constituencies.
He urged elected representatives to help improve early detection and ensure patients receive timely care. The campaign focused on vulnerable groups and people who may not show clear symptoms. It used active screening, chest X-rays and molecular testing to find cases that could otherwise remain undiagnosed.
Nadda urged MPs to take greater ownership of the TB elimination effort. He stressed the need for stronger coordination between elected representatives, health officials and local communities. The focus is also on reducing the stigma linked to tuberculosis. Early diagnosis can help patients start treatment sooner and reduce the risk of transmission.
Key areas highlighted for local action include:
The campaign has shown why active case finding remains important. A large number of people with TB may not seek medical care until symptoms become severe.
The review placed special focus on Jharkhand and Odisha. Jharkhand reported 16,754 TB patients during the campaign. This included 4,574 asymptomatic cases. Odisha reported 15,268 TB patients. Of these, 3,514 cases were asymptomatic. These figures underline the importance of screening people who may not realize they have tuberculosis.
India has also expanded its diagnostic capacity. The country now has more than 9,000 molecular testing machines. Nearly 3,000 AI-enabled handheld X-ray units are also being used for field screening. According to the Health Ministry, India recorded a 21% decline in TB incidence between 2015 and 2024. The treatment success rate also reached 92%, based on figures cited from the WHO Global TB Report 2025.
The government is now seeking stronger participation from MPs and local communities. The aim is to take TB elimination efforts beyond hospitals and into vulnerable communities. The wider strategy includes early detection, treatment support and community participation. Nadda has emphasized that elected representatives can help identify local gaps and strengthen the last-mile response.
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India’s push toward a TB-free country will depend heavily on finding cases early. The latest campaign shows that large-scale screening can uncover cases that routine healthcare may miss.
