STATE TIMES NEWS
KULGAM/ BARAMULLA: Minister for Health and Medical Education, Social Welfare and Education, Sakeena Itoo on Saturday virtually launched the 100-day campaign under National TB Elimination Program (NTEP) across Jammu and Kashmir.
The main event was held by Health and Medical Education department at Kashmir Skill & Simulation Centre, RIHFW Dhobiwan, Tangmarg, Baramulla.
MLA Beerwa, Dr. Mohammad Shafi; MLA Gulmarg, Farooq Ahmad Shah, MLA Uri, Dr. Sajjad Shafi; Joint Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, Meera Srivastava; Director, Health Services, Kashmir Dr. Jehangir Bakshi, Additional District Development Commissioner, Baramulla and health functionaries from various districts of the Kashmir Division were also present at the launch.
Speaking after the launch of campaign, Sakeena Itoo said that TB continues to be a major public health challenge in our country, but with determination, innovation, and a collective effort, we can overcome it. She added that this campaign represents our unwavering commitment to achieving the vision of TB-free Jammu and Kashmir.
The Minister underlined that over the next 100 days, the department will aim to accelerate TB detection, ensure timely treatment and promote awareness about preventive measures.
The Minister further said that this is not just a government initiative but a people’s movement that calls for active participation from every corner of society.
She added that the present government is focused on reaching the unreached, establishing advanced healthcare facilities, strengthening diagnostics, enhancing community engagement and ensuring no one is left behind in the fight against TB.
“With the support of healthcare workers, local stakeholders and general masses, health department will achieve significant milestones during this campaign”, Sakeena said.
The Members of the Legislative Assembly, including Dr. Mohammad Shafi, Farooq Ahmad Shah, and Dr. Sajjad Shafi, commended the efforts of the health staff for their invaluable contributions and achievements. They reiterated their full support for the campaign, highlighting that the objective of this 100-day campaign is to accelerate efforts in eliminating TB, reaching every corner of the community, spreading awareness about the disease, and ensuring access to free and high-quality TB care.
Joint Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, in her address urged healthcare providers, industry leaders, corporate organizations, counsellors, media professionals, and citizens to collaborate in this effort. She emphasized the importance of ensuring that no one is left behind in the fight against TB, striving for a TB-free community where no child loses a parent, no student misses school, and no worker loses their livelihood due to TB. She reinforced that this 100-day campaign is not merely a health initiative but a commitment to building healthier, stronger communities.
During the launch, Dr. Adhfar Yasien, State Tuberculosis officer, Kashmir delivered the opening remarks on the 100-day intensified campaign for TB Elimination (Ni-kshay Shivir). She emphasized the significant importance of this campaign, noting that Tuberculosis (TB) is not only a health issue but also a major social and economic burden, particularly affecting the most vulnerable segments of society. Dr. Adhfar Yasien highlighted that India accounts for approximately 27 per cent of the world’s TB cases, emphasizing the urgency of this ongoing fight. TB continues to claim lives, disrupt families, and reduce the productivity of entire communities.
Dr. Jehangir Bakshi, Director of Health Services, Kashmir, along with all other participants took the TB Pledge, demonstrating a strong commitment to the elimination of Tuberculosis in the Kashmir Division. He further added that the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP) in Kashmir has made remarkable progress. Three districts in the region-Budgam, Anantnag, and Pulwama-have been declared TB-free. Additionally, two districts, Srinagar and Kupwara, have received Gold certification under the Sub-National Certification and the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir has received a Bronze medal in the same category. Over 15 million TB cases have been successfully treated since the start of the program, and significant improvements in detection and recovery rates have been achieved due to better diagnostic and treatment tools. Despite these advancements, challenges such as stigma, late diagnosis, and treatment dropouts remain, and the 100-day campaign aims to directly address these issues through the involvement of all stakeholders.
Dr. Mushtaq Ahmad, Divisional Nodal Officer, National Health Mission (NHM) expressed his gratitude to all the dignitaries and participants present in the occasion, who have dedicated themselves to this cause. He called on all to unite and ensure the success of this 100 day campaign, marking a major step toward a TB-free India and TB-Free Kashmir.
During this 100-day intensified campaign, health teams will focus on conducting Active Case Findings by visiting high-risk and vulnerable populations, including malnourished individuals, diabetics, smokers, cancer patients, tribal communities, and other at-risk groups. The goal is to detect TB cases early, raise awareness about TB symptoms, prevention, and treatment, and provide continuous medical and psychological support to ensure successful recovery. Additionally, community leaders, NGOs, corporate organizations, counselors, and health workers will be engaged to serve as ambassadors for change.
At the conclusion of the event, two Ni-kshay Vahans were flagged off, one for the district of Srinagar, which was flagged off by Dr. Jahingir Bakshi, Director of Health Services, Kashmir, Dr. Tahir Sajad, Chief Medical Officer Srinagar and Dr. Abdul Roof, District Tuberculosis Officer, Srinagar and the other for the district Baramulla, which was flagged off by Sh. Syed Qamar Sajad, Additional District Development Commissioner, Baramulla, Dr. Mastoora Akhter, Chief Medical Officer Baramulla and Dr. Hafizulla, District Tuberculosis Officer, Baramulla.