Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 24 June 2025
In a determined push towards eliminating tuberculosis (TB) from the district, the South Andaman District Administration, in collaboration with the Directorate of Health Services, has launched a comprehensive and time-bound campaign under the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP).
The initiative focuses on strengthening detection, treatment, and community engagement, with all Medical Superintendents and Medical Officers In-Charge directed to mobilize grassroots health workers—including ASHAs, ANMs, CHOs, and other field staff—to actively identify TB suspects, particularly among high-risk and vulnerable groups. Health facilities have been instructed to prepare and submit updated lists of suspected cases, with mandatory data entry into the national TB surveillance platform, the Nikshay Portal.
Within the next 15 days, all Health Centres are to formulate detailed micro-plans for door-to-door TB screening of the target population. To ensure cross-sectoral cooperation, departments such as ICDS, Rural Development, Education, and Labour are being roped in to expand outreach and referrals in alignment with national guidelines.
A dedicated District TB Control Room is being set up immediately to monitor daily progress, identify challenges in implementation, and facilitate prompt corrective measures.
Acknowledging the crucial role of community support, the campaign will also involve NGOs and civil society organizations to adopt TB patients and provide assistance in treatment adherence, nutrition, and psychological well-being—factors vital for successful recovery.
Deputy Commissioner of South Andaman, Mr. Arjun Sharma, IAS, emphasized the need for collective action and urged the public to support this critical health mission. Anyone experiencing symptoms such as a persistent cough for over two weeks, fever, night sweats, weight loss, or fatigue should visit the nearest government health facility for free TB screening and treatment.
The administration has called upon all citizens to actively cooperate with health workers, stressing that community participation is key to achieving a TB-free South Andaman.
