Hyderabad: Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla on Friday called for coordinated action by government agencies, healthcare workers, voluntary groups, corporates and the public to achieve the Telangana TB-free goal.
Shukla, who is also president of the Tuberculosis Association of Telangana, reviewed the TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan at Lok Bhavan. During the meeting, he assessed campaign progress and measures taken to eliminate tuberculosis in the State.
He also reviewed the work of the Tuberculosis Association of Telangana. The association briefed him on its support to the government’s TB eradication efforts.
Health, Medical and Family Welfare Secretary Christina Z. Chongthu and Health and Family Welfare Commissioner Dr. Sangeetha Satyanarayana gave a detailed presentation. They explained the implementation of the TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan across Telangana.
Telangana TB-free goal reviewed at Lok Bhavan
The officials said Telangana had strengthened TB screening, diagnosis, treatment outcomes, preventive therapy, nutritional support and community participation. They also presented the State’s tuberculosis control infrastructure.
Telangana currently has 171 TB Units, 435 TB Detection Centres, 191 Rapid Molecular Testing facilities and 52 portable handheld X-ray devices. During the recent 100-day campaign, officials screened more than 3.87 lakh vulnerable people.
They also conducted over 1.68 lakh X-ray examinations. As a result, 7,663 new TB patients were identified and linked to treatment.
Representatives of the Tuberculosis Association of Telangana made a separate presentation. They highlighted awareness campaigns, patient support, nutritional assistance and community engagement. They also explained efforts to support government programmes and mobilise public participation against tuberculosis.
Speaking to the media after the review, Shukla said nearly 28,000 active TB patients were undergoing treatment in Telangana. He said the State Government was implementing the programme in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for a TB-free India.
“The Telangana government is fully committed to achieving the goal of a TB-free State. While the programme is being implemented effectively, certain challenges persist, particularly in tribal and remote areas where some patients do not complete their medication, avoid diagnostic tests such as X-rays, or suffer from nutritional deficiencies,” he said.
Telangana TB-free goal faces field-level challenges
The Governor said officials discussed field-level challenges in detail. He added that the Health department would soon hold comprehensive review meetings with district collectors and district-level officials.
These meetings would identify local problems and address gaps in implementation. Moreover, the State would seek support and guidance from the Government of India wherever required.
“We are determined to remove every obstacle that stands in the way of TB elimination. Wherever necessary, we will seek support and guidance from the Government of India. Our focus is to ensure that every identified TB patient completes the six-month treatment course successfully and recovers fully,” he said.
Shukla cautioned that even a minor lapse in diagnosis or treatment could increase TB cases. He said patients must undergo timely diagnostic tests and take medicines regularly.
“If a patient does not undergo timely diagnostic tests or fails to take medicines regularly, it can lead to serious consequences and increase the risk of transmission. Continuous monitoring and follow-up are therefore essential,” he observed.
The Governor said the government was considering wider involvement of NGOs in awareness and outreach work. He said their role would be especially important in rural and tribal areas.
NGOs, he said, could educate communities about early diagnosis, treatment adherence and nutritional support. Therefore, stronger community participation would help ensure patients completed treatment.
“People must understand that tuberculosis is completely curable if medicines are taken regularly for the prescribed duration. Through awareness and community participation, we can ensure that no patient is left behind,” he added.
Shukla expressed confidence that Telangana would make significant progress in TB elimination. He said the State would continue to follow the commitments of the Government of India and the Prime Minister’s vision.
He said the Telangana TB-free goal would also contribute to the national mission for a TB-free India.
🤝 All stakeholders must join hands to make Telangana TB-Free!
Hon’ble Governor of Telangana and President of the Tuberculosis Association of Telangana, Shri Shiv Pratap Shukla, reviewed the implementation of the TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan at Lok Bhavan today and emphasized the need… pic.twitter.com/p4J6kb2Sud
— Governor of Telangana (@tg_governor) June 5, 2026