PUNE: To achieve zero Tuberculosis (TB) cases across India, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) along with National AIDS Research Institute (NARI) and Directorate of Health Services and State TB Cell, Maharashtra started a survey in the State on Saturday. The survey in the State is a part of the ‘National Survey for State Wise Prevalence of Microbiologically Confirmed Pulmonary Tuberculosis in India’.

According to the Central government, the estimated prevalence of microbiologically confirmed Pulmonary TB is 350 per lakh population. 

The goal of this national survey is to understand the number of TB affected and spread awareness to eradicate and end the global TB epidemic by achieving less than 10 cases per lakh population until 2025.

According to State TB Cell officials, there will be two teams in Maharashtra that will conduct the survey. There are 56 clusters in Maharashtra and stakeholders will be included.

“In the 23-member team, there will be Revised National Tuberculosis Control Program staff including the DTO and senior treatment supervisor to supervise the activity in the respective cluster. The team will also include Public Health Department staff including the medical officer of the concerned cluster. Local general health staff like ASHA will also be a part of the team,” stated an official statement by the State TB Cell. The survey also aims to understand the socio-demographic and associated risk factors for TB disease including diabetes, nutrition, anaemia and smoking.