Sri Vijaya Puram, May 7: The Andaman and Nicobar Administration has intensified its efforts under the TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan 100 Days Intensified Campaign, with large-scale screenings, awareness programmes and outreach activities being carried out across the Islands to eliminate Tuberculosis (TB).
The campaign, launched on March 24, 2026, in alignment with national guidelines, focuses on early identification of TB cases, reduction in TB-related deaths, prevention of new infections and strengthening community participation in the fight against the disease.
As part of the ongoing campaign, a special outreach programme was recently conducted at remote Makachua Village in Campbell Bay for vulnerable populations residing in hard-to-reach areas of Nicobar district.
The outreach activity was carried out under the guidance of Dr. Meena Nasir. To ensure healthcare services reached the remote settlement, the health team travelled by boat and dinghy, reflecting the administration’s commitment to providing healthcare access even in geographically challenging regions.
During the outreach programme, chest X-ray screening using a handheld X-ray machine was conducted for early detection of Tuberculosis among vulnerable individuals. A total of 45 residents, including 20 males and 25 females, underwent chest X-ray screening during the activity.
Health officials stated that the initiative forms part of the administration’s broader strategy of active TB case finding in underserved and remote areas of the Islands.
According to the Health Department, the campaign is being implemented through a comprehensive and targeted approach aimed at identifying “missing TB cases” through proactive screening using chest X-rays and upfront NAAT testing among vulnerable populations and high-risk settings.
The campaign also focuses on reducing TB-related deaths through personalized patient care, nutritional support, management of comorbidities, regular follow-up and TB Death Audits.
Officials said special attention is being given to prevention of new TB cases through screening and provision of TB Preventive Treatment (TPT) to eligible high-risk groups, including household contacts of TB patients and People Living with HIV (PLHIV).
The campaign further promotes Janbhagidari through a “Whole-of-Society” and “Whole-of-Government” approach to raise awareness, reduce stigma and encourage timely treatment-seeking behavior among citizens.
Health authorities are also integrating screening for major comorbidities such as diabetes, hypertension, anaemia, undernutrition and cancer to improve overall treatment outcomes for TB patients.
The administration has adopted a multi-pronged strategy under the campaign, which includes Ayushman Arogya Shivirs conducted across communities, facility-based intensified screening and integrated delivery of TB and Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) services.
As part of the campaign, blood pressure checks, blood sugar testing, BMI assessment and anaemia screening are also being conducted during health camps.
Officials revealed that from March 24 to May 6, a total of 544 Ayushman Arogya Shivirs were conducted across the Islands, including 130 in urban areas and 414 in rural areas. The health camps recorded a total footfall of 17,529 individuals, including 7,956 males and 9,573 females.
During the same period, 6,331 chest X-rays and 1,363 NAAT tests were conducted, resulting in the notification of 54 TB cases. The campaign also saw 4,970 Ni-kshay enrolments, including new cases and new treatment episodes.
Under Janbhagidari and community engagement initiatives, 151 awareness activities were conducted with participation from elected representatives, schools, colleges, government departments and other institutions.
The Andaman and Nicobar Administration has urged citizens to actively support the TB elimination campaign by spreading awareness that TB is preventable and curable and by helping eliminate stigma associated with the disease.
Individuals at higher risk – including senior citizens, diabetics, undernourished persons, smokers, alcohol users, close contacts of TB patients and those who had TB within the last five years – have been encouraged to undergo screening at the nearest public health facility.
Citizens have also been invited to come forward as Nikshay Mitras to support TB patients through nutritional and psychosocial assistance.
