India's Robust Pharma Industry Big Strength To World's Fight Against TB: PM Modi At One World TB Summit

During the One World TB Summit organised by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, PM Modi launched various initiatives including the TB-Mukt Panchayat initiative.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi at One World TB Summit organised by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) in Varanasi. ( Image Source :Twitter/@BJP4India )

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday addressed the One World TB Summit organised by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) on the occasion of World Tuberculosis Day.  He credited India's robust pharma industry as a major strength for the world's fight against TB, mentioning India's target of ending TB is the year 2025.

Addressing the gathering at his Lok Sabha constituency, PM Modi said: "India's robust pharma industry is a big strength to the world's fight against TB. I wish that fruits of each and every endeavour of India, campaign of India, innovation of India reach to the whole world..as we are committed towards the Global Good!"

"India is now working on the goal of eliminating TB by the year 2025. The global target of ending TB is the year 2030, but India is working on the goal of ending TB by 2025," he added.

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PM Modi said that the new thinking and approach with which India began working against TB in 2014 is "truly unprecedented". "India's efforts should also be known to the whole world because it is a new model of the global fight against TB," he added.

The Prime Minister emphasised that India has worked on many fronts in the fight against TB in the last nine years. He mentioned government campaigns like Fit India, Khelo India, and Yoga promoting public participation, special campaigns for nutrition, use of technology in promoting good health.

The Prime Minister credited people's participation for the great work that India has done in the fight against Tuberculosis. After the government's appeal, about 10 lakh TB patients were adopted across the country, he mentioned.

"Today's 'New India' is known for fulfilling its goals. India pledged to be open defecation free and achieved it. India also completed the target of solar power generation capacity on time," he highlighted.

PM Modi said: "It's difficult to accomplish new outcomes with old approaches. So, we found new ways and formulated new strategies. We are making sure that not even a single TB patient is left without being diagnosed. We have been fighting the challenge with an integrated approach."

The Prime Minister congratulated Karnataka and Jammu-Kashmir for being honoured at the event for becoming TB-free. "I congratulate the people who have achieved this success," he said.

One World TB Summit

The event is organised by the health ministry along with the Stop TB Partnership organisation. Founded in 2001, the Stop TB Partnership is a United Nations-hosted organisation that amplifies the voices of the people, communities, and countries affected by TB, a statement by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO).

During the event, Prime Minister launched various initiatives including the TB-Mukt Panchayat initiative, the official pan-India rollout of a shorter TB Preventive Treatment (TPT), Family-centric care model for TB, and release of India’s Annual TB Report 2023. He also awarded select States/UTs and Districts for their progress toward ending TB.

In March 2018, during the End TB summit held in New Delhi, Prime Minister Modi had called on India to achieve TB-related SDG targets by 2025, five years ahead of stipulated time. One World TB Summit aims to further deliberate upon the targets as the country moves forward to meet its TB elimination objectives. It also provides an opportunity to showcase learnings from National TB Elimination Programmes. International delegates from over 30 countries are scheduled to be present at the summit, the PMO statement informed.

Later in the day, PM Modi will dedicate and lay the foundation stone of projects worth over Rs 1780  crore during a programme at Sampurnanand Sanskrit University ground in Varanasi.