Chandigarh (Balwinder Singh): Haryana Health Minister Aarti Singh Rao has announced that the state is making rapid strides toward its “TB-free Haryana” objective through a combination of public awareness, advanced technology, and robust community involvement. While releasing a 30-day progress report for the second phase of the 100-day TB eradication campaign launched on World TB Day, Rao noted that 10,978 new cases have already been identified. This achievement is largely attributed to a proactive “Active Case Finding” strategy and the integration of artificial intelligence into the screening process. Rather than waiting for symptomatic individuals to visit clinics, health workers are now entering high-risk areas to identify asymptomatic cases and ensure early intervention.
The state is leveraging cutting-edge tools to facilitate this massive undertaking, including AI-enabled handheld X-ray machines that provide immediate results in remote locations. Another significant technological addition is the “Cough Against TB” (CATB) app, which uses audio analysis to identify potential infections based on the sound of a patient’s cough. Dr. R.S. Dhillon, the Mission Director of the National Health Mission, reported that 65 mobile medical units are currently operating as travelling laboratories to reach underserved populations. These efforts are being bolstered by the active participation of local panchayats and community leaders who are working to dismantle the social stigma traditionally associated with the disease.
To provide more comprehensive care, the TB screening process has been integrated with general health checks, including monitoring for blood pressure, diabetes, and anaemia. Geospatial technology was utilized to pinpoint 2,111 vulnerable villages and wards for targeted action. Between March 24 and May 5, the state organized 1,620 health camps, with nearly 940 situated in high-risk zones. During this period, over 181,000 people were screened and nearly 50,000 tests were conducted. Beyond medical treatment, the state is addressing patient nutrition, having distributed 8,502 nutrition kits and registered 335 new Ni-kshay Mitras to support those recovering from the illness.
