India has committed to end TB by 2025, five years ahead of the global targets of 2030. If we are to eliminate TB from India, there needs to be an 80% reduction in TB death as compared to 2015 which is the baseline year.

* In 2015, there were 38 deaths due to TB in Mizoram. An 80% reduction from this means 4 deaths due to TB by 2025. Last year, there was more 70 deaths due to TB.

* There also needs to be a 90% reduction in the incidence of TB as compared to 2015. In 2015, there were a total of 2145 TB cases. A 90% reduction means that by 2025, we should have only 430 TB cases. Last year, between Jan and Dec, there were more than 1700 TB cases notified.

* TB cases have to be detected more vigorously to contain it. During this financial year, to aid our TB case finding Central TB Division has approved the supply of 26 Truenat machines for TB detection for all Rural Development Blocks in Mizoram.

* TB cases also have to be followed up regularly. Till date, follow up samples have to be sent to Guwahati. This presents problems like loss of samples in transit, contamination, spillage and inconsistent reports. To solve this problem, Central TB Division in collaboration with the Govt, of Mizoram is establishing a state of the art Culture & Drug Susceptibility Testing Laboratory (C&DST Lab) in Falkawn which is the first of its kind in Mizoram to exist. The laboratory is all set to function with equipments and HR in place. This new Laboratory will be commissioned in the near future. This will ensure quicker Drug Susceptibility

Testing (DST) guided, personalised treatments and better outcomes.

* Sub National TB Certification is the scheme where states and UTs can claim for Bronze, Silver, Gold and TB Free Status by submitting claims to Central TB Division which is further verified by the competent authorities. States and UTs can claim Bronze with 20% reduction in TB incidence as compared to their 2015 baseline. 40% reduction can claim Silver, 60% reduction can claim Gold and TB Free Status can be claimed with an 80% reduction. Mizoram will be aiming for the Bronze medal (20% reduction) for this financial year for TWO districts : Kolasib and Serchhip. Submission of claims is underway. If achieved, the medal also comes with a cash prize of 2 lakhs per district.

* TB Index is the collective term for 9 important indicators in National TB Elimination Program (NTEP) All states and UTs of India are assessed on this Index on a quarterly basis. Mizoram needs to improve in 2 particular areas : TB Notification which we have discussed before and TB Preventive Therapy (called TPT) which has 2 sub components :The prevention of TB in close contacts of pulmonary TB and the prevention of TB in People Living With HIV (PLHIV) by giving Isoniazid for 6 months. The acceptance rate in these two areas is far below the expected level. The general population, health care providers and all stakeholders needs to make a bigger effort to improve these numbers.

* I am very happy to note that Govt of India has initiated an ambitious project called PRADHAN MANTRI TB MUKT BHARAT ABHIYAAN (Community Support for TB patients) Scheme in which Co-operative societies, Corporates, Elected representatives , any Individuals, Institutions, NGOs, Political parties and other partners can support TB patients by adopting them and to provide additional support in the form of Food baskets, at the rate of Rs 650 - Rs 1000 per month. This is in addition to Free Drugs and

* Nutritional support of Rs 500 monthly per month, NHM is already providing.

* I have also learnt that 1358 TB patients are currently on treatment, out of which 1039 have given their consent to receive the support under this scheme.

I am very to note that a total of 24 donors has come forward for Mizoram. In addition, The Hon'ble Governor of Mizoram had also recently pledged to support an additional 20 patients.

* I request the Health department officials who are present here and the NGOs to pledge to adopt at least one patient each.

* I am hopeful that our programme today led by Hon'ble Governor will go a long way in achieving TB Elimination by 2025 in the state of Mizoram. 

THANK YOU.