Chandigarh, May 8:– Haryana Health Minister Aarti Singh Rao said that the state is moving rapidly towards achieving the goal of ‘TB Free Haryana’. Due to extensive public awareness campaign, modern technology and community participation, the eradication of TB has got a new momentum.
She informed that the 30-day interim progress report of the 100-day TB Eradication Campaign (Phase-2) launched by the state government from March 24, 2026 (World TB Day) has been released. So far, 10,978 new TB patients have been identified under this campaign. This success has been possible due to Artificial Intelligence based techniques and Active Case Finding strategy.
The Health Minister said that now the state's strategy is not limited to just waiting for patients to come forward, but is also going to high-risk areas to test asymptomatic people, so that hidden cases can be identified in time.
Aarti Singh Rao said that technology is being used effectively in Haryana. He said that "AI-enabled handheld X-ray machines" are facilitating immediate testing in remote areas. The 'Cough Against TB' (CATB) app is helping in identifying potential patients by analysing the sound of cough.
Dr RS Dhillon, Mission Director, National Health Mission (NHM), further informed that public participation has played a key role in the success of this campaign. 65 mobile medical units are being used as 'mobile labs', due to which testing has been made possible even in remote areas. Along with this, the active participation of people's representatives and panchayat institutions has helped in eliminating the social evils associated with TB.
He said that under this campaign, TB screening has been linked with general health screening, which also includes blood pressure, sugar and anemia screening, so that comprehensive health services can be ensured.
He informed that the government is identifying 2,111 sensitive villages and wards through geospatial technology and a special campaign is being run there. Giving information about the activities carried out under the said campaign from March 24 to May 5, 2026, he said that a total of 1620 camps were set up during this period, out of which 938 were set up in high-risk areas.
Similarly, 1,81,221 people were screened, 49,953 NAAT tests were conducted, 10,978 new TB patients were identified. He further informed that during the said period, 335 new Nikshay Mitras were registered while 8502 nutrition kits were distributed. He said that the Haryana Government is committed to the complete eradication of TB and it is being ensured that treatment and assistance are provided to every patient.