Kangra district records major success under NTEP with 185 Gram Panchayats declared TB-mukt in 2025. Read how TB screening, treatment and community participation are driving TB elimination in Himachal Pradesh
Kangra — Kangra district has achieved a major public health milestone with 185 Gram Panchayats officially declared tuberculosis (TB)-mukt in 2025, while 56 additional panchayats are currently undergoing certification. The development marks a decisive step towards the district’s goal of complete TB elimination under the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP).
Health officials say the achievement reflects sustained field-level implementation, strong community participation, and improved diagnostic and treatment infrastructure across the district.
2025 emerges as a breakthrough year for TB control in kangra
The year 2025 proved to be one of the most impactful for TB control efforts in Kangra. The district not only met key programme benchmarks but also received recognition at the state level for its performance under NTEP.
Key Health Indicators (2025)
- Large-scale screening: Around 1.5 lakh chest X-rays were conducted across urban and rural areas to enable early detection.
- High case notification: 2,968 TB cases were notified, achieving 98 percent of the annual target.
- Treatment outcomes: The district recorded an 85 percent treatment success rate, in line with national standards.
- Drug-resistant TB care: 61 patients with drug-resistant TB received specialised treatment and monitoring.
- Nutrition support coverage: 100 percent of consenting TB patients received nutrition kits under the Ni-kshay Poshan Yojana, aimed at supporting recovery and reducing out-of-pocket expenses.
To improve accuracy and speed of diagnosis, NAAT (Nucleic Acid Amplification Test) laboratories were operationalised at Dadasiba, Bhawarna and Indora. These facilities significantly reduced diagnostic delays, allowing treatment to begin at an earlier stage.
Health officials noted that decentralised diagnostics have been especially critical for rural and semi-hilly areas of Kangra.
Community participation drives panchayat-level success
A defining feature of Kangra’s TB-mukt panchayat model has been active community ownership. Gram Panchayats formed local TB forums, facilitated awareness drives, and supported patients through treatment completion.
According to district health authorities, coordination between panchayat representatives, ASHA workers, ANMs, NGOs and volunteers ensured follow-ups, counselling and stigma reduction at the village level.
TB elimination roadmap for 2026
Building on the 2025 gains, the district administration has outlined a focused Phase-2 strategy for 2026, aimed at closing remaining gaps.
Planned interventions include:
- AI-enabled portable X-ray machines to improve access in remote and hard-to-reach areas
- Micro-planning at block and panchayat level to track vulnerable populations
- Expansion of the Nikshay Mitra initiative, encouraging individuals and institutions to support TB patients
- Intensified public awareness campaigns, including door-to-door outreach and school-based programmes
TB elimination in India: where Kangra fits in
Tuberculosis remains a major public health challenge in India, despite being fully curable with timely diagnosis and treatment. Under NTEP, India has set a target to eliminate TB by 2025, ahead of the global deadline of 2030.
The programme focuses on four pillars: Detect, Treat, Prevent and Build, encompassing free diagnostics, free medicines, preventive therapy and strengthened health systems. Kangra’s progress is being seen as a district-level model within Himachal Pradesh.
What you can do as a Kangra resident
Health officials have urged citizens to remain vigilant and involved:
- Get tested early if symptoms such as cough lasting over two weeks, fever, night sweats or weight loss appear
- Encourage treatment completion for patients in the community
- Support TB patients through the Nikshay Mitra programme
- Share verified information to counter myths and stigma around TB
All TB services under NTEP — including diagnosis, medicines, nutrition support and follow-ups — are provided free of cost at government health facilities.
For more information on this you can visit:
- District TB Office, Kangra
- Social media updates: TB Mukt Bharat Kangra (official district pages)
- National TB portal: https://www.nikshay.in/
- Himachal Pradesh Health Department: nhm.hp.gov.in
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