Una, January 30: Una district is rapidly progressing towards the goal of tuberculosis (TB) elimination. To realize the vision of a TB-free Una, the Health Department has set a target of declaring 215 panchayats in the district TB-free by 2026. With the help of modern technology, robust plans, and widespread public participation, this campaign appears to be reaching a decisive stage.
It is noteworthy that under the leadership of Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, the state government has resolved to make Himachal Pradesh TB-free. In this direction, timely testing, free treatment, nutritional support, and comprehensive public awareness campaigns have been made more effective. The government aims to ensure that health services reach every village and that TB is eradicated from its roots with the participation of every section of society. Una district is playing a leading role in implementing this vision on the ground.
**Emphasis on Increased TB Testing**
Chief Medical Officer Dr. Sanjeev Verma explains that the rate of TB testing in the district has increased significantly.
While only 655 people per lakh population were tested in 2015, the target was to increase this figure to 5000 per lakh by 2025. However, Una has surpassed this target, setting a new benchmark with a TB testing rate of 5063 per lakh population.
Currently, TB testing is being conducted using state-of-the-art technology in five hospitals in the district.
In 2024, 29,176 suspected patients were tested, of whom 802 were identified as TB patients. So far in 2025, 31,059 suspected patients have been tested, with 530 confirmed cases. Prioritizing early detection, timely treatment, and nutritional support, the department is continuously monitoring the situation. So far, 105 panchayats in the district have been declared tuberculosis-free and felicitated, while the process of declaring 163 more panchayats as tuberculosis-free is underway for the year 2025.
With the cooperation of the Health Department, district administration, and voluntary organizations, awareness is being spread at the village level to ensure timely detection of the disease.
**Una receives two gold medals at the state level**
District Tuberculosis Control Officer Dr. Vishal Thakur says that the tuberculosis-free campaign has been given special momentum in the district. In 2025, 81,798 X-rays have been conducted in the district, while the target for 2026 is to conduct more than one lakh X-rays.
Una district was awarded two gold medals at the state level in 2025 for conducting the highest number of X-rays among the high-risk population.
He informed that all TB patients are being provided with assistance of Rs. 1000 per month under the Nikshay Poshan Yojana, while patients in the severe category are being provided an additional Rs. 1500 per month under the Chief Minister's Tuberculosis Prevention Scheme.
In the district, Baba Bal Ji Maharaj, Baba Rudra Nand Ashram Nari, Pirnigah Temple Committee, Mehatpur Industrial Association, Zeenat Mahant Gagret, Indian Oil Corporation (NRPL Una), Livefast, and Sachkhand Foundation are providing nutritional support to TB patients as Nikshay Mitras (TB Friends).
In addition, 560 Nikshay camps were organized in the district in 2025, where awareness about TB was spread at the rural level and sputum samples were collected from suspected patients. Under the tuberculosis-free campaign, IEC (Information, Education, and Communication) walls related to TB awareness have been created in 100 schools, 245 gram panchayats, and 80 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs in the district. **TB Elimination Campaign Being Implemented Effectively in the District: DC
Deputy Commissioner Una, Jatin Lal, said that in accordance with the directives of Chief Minister Shri Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, the TB elimination campaign is being implemented with utmost seriousness and effectiveness in the district. Active case finding, organization of regular screening camps, continuous monitoring of medication adherence, and timely nutritional support to patients are being ensured.
The Deputy Commissioner said that TB elimination is not only the responsibility of the health department but a shared responsibility of the entire society. With the coordinated efforts of the administration, health department, voluntary organizations, and the general public, Una district is making significant progress in this direction. He expressed confidence that with continuous efforts and public cooperation, Una district will take strong steps towards becoming TB-free ahead of schedule.