Pune: The National TB Elimination Program has partnered with Johns Hopkins University (JHU) to launch the "TB-Free Schools" initiative across schools in four Indian states, including Maharashtra.

Aimed at eradicating tuberculosis (TB) among children under 15, this program will be implemented in schools in Pune and Satara in Maharashtra, as well as in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, and certain locations in Tamil Nadu.

The initiative comes as a response to alarming statistics showing that around 340,000 children under 15 are infected with TB annually in India.

Although children make up 13% of TB cases in the country, only 6% are diagnosed and treated, often resulting in undetected cases spreading in shared spaces like schools.

Earlier research by JHU revealed that undiagnosed TB among children contributes to the disease's spread, especially in school environments.

A pilot program was conducted jointly by the National TB Elimination Program and JHU in Himachal Pradesh, successfully reducing TB cases among schoolchildren.

Building on these positive outcomes, the program will now expand to additional states using modern technologies for TB awareness, screening, and treatment.

The initiative’s expansion will be funded through the National TB Elimination Program and contributions from corporate social responsibility (CSR) funds.

Speaking on the program’s impact, Dr. Nadia Hansel, Director of the Department of Medicine at JHU School of Medicine, highlighted the importance of expanding the initiative to new regions.

Dr. Amita Gupta, Head of JHU's Infectious Diseases Department, added, “The TB-Free Schools initiative has demonstrated that early diagnosis, treatment, and preventive measures significantly reduce TB prevalence among young children. This program is a critical step toward eradicating TB and will contribute to creating a TB-free generation.”