Health authorities have stepped up tuberculosis screening and outreach efforts under the TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan as part of a 100-day campaign, organising targeted health camps for urban vulnerable populations and labourers.
The District Health Society, South Andaman, operating under the National Health Mission, conducted an Ayushman Arogya Shivir at the Office of the Labour Commissioner with a focus on the TB Free Workplace Initiative. The drive aims to improve early detection and expand access to basic health services among high-risk groups.
Officials said the camp provided essential screenings, including blood pressure checks, blood sugar testing, weight assessment, and tuberculosis screening. Chest X-ray facilities were also deployed to support early diagnosis of TB cases, a key component in controlling the spread of the disease.
The initiative extended beyond institutional settings to reach daily wage labourers at construction sites. Additional health camps were organised at locations opposite the Sports Complex and near Alaikadal Ayyanar Temple to ensure access for workers who may not routinely engage with healthcare systems.
Authorities stated that such targeted interventions are critical in identifying undiagnosed cases, particularly among populations with limited healthcare access. The campaign aligns with the broader objective of eliminating tuberculosis under the National TB Elimination Programme.
Health officials urged individuals experiencing symptoms such as persistent cough lasting more than two weeks, fever, night sweats, unexplained weight loss, or blood in sputum to seek immediate medical evaluation. Early diagnosis and treatment remain central to reducing transmission, they said.
The administration reiterated that tuberculosis is curable and that diagnosis and treatment services are available free of cost at government health facilities. Officials emphasised that awareness and timely intervention are essential to achieving public health targets.
The campaign is being implemented through coordinated efforts involving the District TB Unit, State TB Unit, and the Directorate of Health Services. These agencies are working to strengthen community-level outreach and ensure that preventive and diagnostic services reach underserved sections.
Authorities indicated that such initiatives contribute to the goal of achieving TB-free wards and panchayats while advancing national targets under the TB Mukt Bharat mission. The intensified focus on workplace and community-based screening is expected to improve detection rates and support long-term disease control efforts.
