Home / Health / Bihar Exceeds TB Screening Goal by 136%
Bihar Exceeds TB Screening Goal by 136%
20 Aug
Summary
- Bihar screened over 2.36 crore people, surpassing the one crore target.
- 87,623 TB patients were detected during the special screening drive.
- Public-private partnerships are crucial for Bihar's TB elimination efforts.
Bihar's special TB screening drive, conducted from July 2 to August 14, has significantly surpassed its goals. The campaign screened over 2.36 crore individuals, exceeding the initial target of one crore by a substantial margin.
During this intensive effort, 87,623 TB patients were identified. This includes 21,550 asymptomatic cases, highlighting the effectiveness of the broad screening approach. The State Health Society is emphasizing community-based screening and the use of advanced diagnostic tools to progress towards TB elimination.
Bihar is making strides towards TB elimination, with 547 panchayats certified as TB-free in 2025. Public-private partnerships are vital, evidenced by the private sector's 62% participation in TB notifications as of August 13. The state is equipped with 487 fixed and 101 AI-enabled portable X-ray machines, along with 651 molecular diagnostic machines.
Accurate reporting is seen as key to reducing stigma and encouraging timely treatment. The state has also conducted over 5.4 lakh Ayushman Arogya Shivirs since March 24, 2026. The ongoing program focuses on daily medication, nutritional support through Nikshay Poshan Yojana, advanced diagnostics, shorter regimens for drug-resistant TB, and enhanced private healthcare engagement.
