NEW DELHI, Nov 13: Union Health and Family Welfare Minister J.P. Nadda has highlighted India’s significant progress in combating tuberculosis (TB), stating that the country has achieved a 38 per cent reduction in TB mortality since 2015, surpassing the global decline of 35 per cent, according to the WHO Global Tuberculosis Report 2026.
The Union Health Minister described the achievement as an encouraging milestone and reiterated the government’s commitment to making India TB-free. He said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the fight against tuberculosis had transformed into a nationwide Jan Andolan driven by technological innovation, community participation and patient-centred healthcare.
In a significant recognition, the World Health Organization’s South-East Asia Regional Office (WHO SEARO) acknowledged India’s contribution to reducing TB mortality across the region. The report also highlighted a 94 per cent treatment success rate among patients suffering from drug-susceptible tuberculosis, reflecting improvements in diagnosis, timely treatment and patient care.
Highlighting the scale of the TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan, Nadda said that more than 25 crore people had been covered under intensified screening initiatives. Over 11 crore chest X-rays and three crore molecular tests had been conducted, leading to the detection of 48.64 lakh TB cases, including nearly 15 lakh asymptomatic cases. He said early identification had enabled timely treatment and helped prevent further transmission.
The Minister also highlighted the contribution of AI-enabled diagnostic technologies, nutritional assistance under the Ni-kshay Poshan Yojana and community support through the Ni-kshay Mitra initiative in strengthening patient care.
According to the report, India’s estimated TB mortality rate declined from 28 deaths per lakh population in 2015 to 18 deaths per lakh in 2025. The improved treatment success rate further reflects the strengthening of the National TB Elimination Programme.
Emphasising grassroots participation, Nadda noted that 67,933 Panchayats were declared TB-free in 2025. He said initiatives such as JOSH Teams, involving government officials, NCC cadets and MY Bharat volunteers, were further strengthening awareness and community mobilisation.
He also highlighted that 96 per cent of the programme’s funding requirements were being met through domestic resources, reflecting India’s commitment to sustaining its TB elimination efforts.
The Union Minister reaffirmed that early diagnosis, effective treatment, nutritional support and public participation would remain central to achieving the goal of a TB-Mukt Bharat. He called for collective efforts involving state governments, healthcare professionals, development partners and citizens to ensure that no TB patient was left behind.