Sri Vijaya Puram, Nov. 28: Admiral D.K. Joshi, PVSM, AVSM, YSM, NM, VSM (Retd.), Lieutenant Governor, A&N Islands & Vice Chairman, Islands Development Agency chaired a review meeting on the progress of TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan at Raj Niwas today. The meeting was attended by the Chief Secretary, senior officers of Health Department, Deputy Commissioners of all three districts (including virtual participation from North & Middle Andaman and Nicobar), Assistant Commissioners of various sub-divisions, the Director of Health Services, State TB Officer, District TB Officers and Microbiologist of IRL.
The State TB Officer presented an overview of the implementation of TMBA, including meetings held since July 2025, trends in presumptive TB examinations, TB case notifications, patient monitoring mechanisms, district-level interventions, Nikshay Mitra support, IEC activities, TB Mukt Panchayat progress and action taken on previous decisions. New initiatives such as monthly Nikshay Clinics, additional nutritional support to malnourished patients in Nicobar District, one-year assistance from SBI for 50 TB patient families, and community-based Nikshay Shivir activities were also highlighted. It was informed that A&N Islands is the first State/UT to achieve the MoHFW target for coverage of the vulnerable population under the Abhiyaan.
The Hon’ble Lt. Governor appreciated the efforts of the Health Department and District Administration and directed further strengthening of strategies and adoption of best practices to accelerate TB elimination in the Islands.