Two-day community outreach campaign held in Munger to accelerate Tuberculosis awareness and prevention.
NEW DELHI (India CSR): The Illness to Wellness Foundation (ITWF), in collaboration with the Central TB Division (CTD) of the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW), Government of India, has intensified its efforts under the TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan through a focused two-day campaign in Munger. The initiative reinforces India’s ongoing fight against tuberculosis by supporting the National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP) with targeted community outreach, awareness and prevention activities that align with the nation’s vision of achieving a TB-free Bharat.
The Illness to Wellness Foundation and the government had earlier in September initiated joint campaign with TB screening medical camps at Chirala, Andhra Pradesh and at Tiruvottiyur, Chennai.
The recently held 2-day TB screening camp in Munger received strong support from government health officials, whose presence and guidance significantly enhanced the effectiveness of the initiative.
The inaugural ceremony of the camp was attended by Dr Dhruv Kumar Sah, Communicable Disease Officer (CDO), Munger; Dilip Kumar, Senior DOTS-Plus Supervisor (DPS), Munger; Md Rizwan, Senior Treatment Laboratory Supervisor (STLS), Munger; Aditya Raj, District ICTC Supervisor (DIS); Swati Kumari, Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) Counsellor, ICTC Munger; and Avinash Kumar, Project Coordinator, Munger.
Their active participation reinforced the collaborative spirit of the campaign and highlighted the government’s continued commitment to advancing TB awareness, timely diagnosis, and community engagement in the region. The focus was also on reducing the stigma around TB, encouraging open conversations so that individuals feel empowered to seek treatment without fear or hesitation.
Highlighting the significance of the campaign, Anil Rajput, Chairman, Advisory Council, Illness to Wellness Foundation, said, “Our partnership under the TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan reflects the Foundation’s steadfast commitment to strengthening community health and supporting India’s goal of eliminating tuberculosis. The camp in Munger stands as a demonstration of our intensified joint efforts, and initiatives like these are vital for deepening awareness, expanding screening, and ensuring timely diagnosis. The strong community participation we witnessed reaffirms people’s readiness to protect their health. At the Illness to Wellness Foundation, we believe that sustained outreach, accurate testing, and active local engagement are vital to building a TB-free future, and we look forward to extending these efforts nationwide through more such impactful initiatives.”
The initiative focuses on improving treatment success by guiding patients to stay consistent with their prescribed regimens, supported by dedicated counselling, timely follow-ups, and structured monitoring systems. It further aims to deepen collaboration with communities and key stakeholders, such as private healthcare practitioners, to ensure uniform standards of care and accurate reporting as mandated by NTEP. Ongoing assessment and review of programme activities form a core component, helping track progress, refine strategies, and keep all efforts aligned with India’s broader TB elimination goals.
Munger has historically reported a substantial number of tuberculosis cases, making targeted interventions critical for strengthening the region’s TB control efforts. During the two-day camp, a total of 1,225 beneficiaries were sensitised about tuberculosis, while 370 individuals underwent TB screening, enabling early identification of potential cases. Of these, 14 suspected patients were referred to Sadar Hospital for further evaluation. Additionally, 11 individuals received sputum CBNAAT tests and X-rays, both of which play a vital role in confirming TB with speed and accuracy. These diagnostic tools are essential for detecting the disease at an early stage, ensuring timely treatment and reducing the risk of community transmission.
Dr Dhruv Kumar Sah, Communicable Disease Officer (CDO), Munger, said, “Through this free TB awareness and screening camp, we aim to strengthen early detection by encouraging people to watch for symptoms such as a cough lasting more than two weeks, prolonged fever, weight loss, or loss of appetite. To support India’s vision of a TB-free nation by 2027, we are prioritising high-risk groups, including pregnant or lactating mothers, individuals above 60 years, and those with diabetes or cancer. They will receive X-rays, and if any TB infection is identified, immediate treatment will be initiated. Such initiatives are essential for reducing the TB burden in the region.”
The medical camp, conducted in line with the national campaign Jan-Jaan Ka Rakhe Dhyaan, TB-Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan, focused on dispelling common myths, encouraging early detection, and emphasising the availability of free treatment for tuberculosis.
The ‘Illness to Wellness’ national campaign was introduced in 2014 and remains committed to promoting health and well-being through empowering, educating, collaborating, and adopting sustainable health practices. Over the years, it has aimed to maximize outreach and impact, from organizing camps and awareness campaigns to holding regular webinars on key health topics and developments- with the clear purpose of raising awareness and providing motivation and remedies.
(India CSR)
