Overview
Union Health Minister Shri J P Nadda addressed a high‑level side‑event on “Ministerial Perspectives on Lung Health Screening” during the 79th World Health Assembly in Geneva. He linked timely screening, early diagnosis and equitable access to care with a resilient, people‑centred health system.
Key Developments
- India has launched one of the world’s largest TB screening programmes under the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP) and the vision of a TB‑Mukt Bharat.
- Deployment of modern diagnostics – molecular testing platforms, digital chest X‑ray services, AI‑assisted interpretation tools, handheld screening devices and decentralized testing – especially in remote and underserved regions.
- Integration of lung health into primary care through Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centres and a strengthened frontline workforce.
- Launch of the TB Mukt Bharat App with the AI‑enabled chatbot “Khushi”.
- Call for global collaboration to mainstream lung health within Universal Health Coverage (UHC), expand affordable diagnostics, promote innovation and secure sustainable financing.
Important Facts
The Ministry has scaled up active case finding through house‑to‑house outreach, mobile teams and community campaigns targeting vulnerable groups. Digital chest X‑ray and AI tools are being used to cut diagnostic delays, while the “Khushi” chatbot works on entry‑level smartphones to bridge the gap between symptom onset and care. The Minister emphasized that technology must reach the “last mile” and be coupled with nutritional support, treatment adherence assistance and social protection.
Exam Relevance
Understanding India’s TB elimination strategy is crucial for GS‑3 (Health) questions on communicable diseases, health‑system reforms and public‑private partne