Rajkot district intensifies TB elimination efforts with hundred day campaign and community participation
Rajkot, March 27. Rajkot district in Gujarat is making significant strides toward the national goal of a tuberculosis-free India. On the occasion of World TB Day, the district administration launched an intensive hundred-day TB elimination campaign focusing on public participation and coordinated health systems to eradicate the disease. A major milestone was achieved as three hundred fifty-five out of five hundred ninety-five Gram Panchayats were declared TB-free for the year 2025. During a Sarpanch Samvad program held in Paddhari, District Collector Dr. Om Prakash, District Development Officer Anandu Suresh Govind, and Superintendent of Police Vijaysinh Gurjar honored the village heads with gold, silver, and bronze medals along with certificates for their contributions.
As per agency report, special awareness initiatives were conducted under the guidance of District Tuberculosis Officer Dr. Ghanshyam Mehta, targeting schools and colleges. These efforts included sixty-four rallies involving over five thousand students and health education sessions for nearly thirty-nine thousand students across two hundred forty-two schools. The health department also organized five hundred twenty-nine screening camps where more than one lakh nineteen thousand individuals were examined. Out of these, seven hundred thirty-six suspected cases were identified, leading to the confirmation of five TB patients who were immediately placed under medical treatment.
Community involvement has played a vital role in this mission, with two hundred thirteen new Nikshay Mitras joining the cause to distribute nutrition kits to two hundred seventy-two patients. Furthermore, over twelve thousand people participated in various public engagement programs to demonstrate their commitment to the elimination of the disease. This local initiative aligns with the nationwide campaign launched by Union Health Minister Dr. J.P. Nadda, implementing a specialized hundred-day plan in Rajkot.
The campaign specifically targets high-risk groups, including individuals over sixty years of age, patients suffering from diabetes, cancer, or AIDS, brick kiln workers, and those with a low body mass index. In one hundred forty-two selected villages, X-ray screenings will be conducted for all residents above fourteen years of age. The district is utilizing advanced TRUNAAT and CBNAAT machines to ensure accurate diagnosis and is providing free treatment to all affected individuals. The administration continues to urge citizens to join the mission as Nikshay Mitras by adopting patients and providing nutritional support to achieve the collective goal of a TB-free society through unified efforts.
