After Diabetes, Hypertension And Cancer, Health Ministry Proposes Universal Screening For TB And Leprosy

Soon all Indians at the age of 30 will be screened for not only diabetes, hypertension and cancers, but also for tuberculosis and leprosy, Union Health Minister JP Nadda has said. 

This is in line with the Prime minister Narendra Modi's commitment that India will eliminate TB by 2025, ahead of the global sustainable development (SDG) deadline of 2030.

BCCL/ Representational Image

"By 2022 all sub-centres will be converted to wellness centres, but universal screening will be started. We have added check-up for tuberculosis and leprosy. By 2025 we have to eliminate Tuberculosis, and we are also working hard towards working towards the elimination of leprosy," Nadda said on Monday. 

Currently India accounts for the largest number of TB cases in the world and 60 per cent of the global burden of leprosy. All states except Chhattisgarh and the Union Territory Dadra and Nagar Haveli have eliminated leprosy. 

The universal screening for diabetes, hypertension and three types of cancer for everyone over 30 years in 100 districts was announced by the Health Ministry in 2017.

BCCL/Representational Image

It aimed to ensure that every Indian is screened for these diseases at least once in three years.

Commenting on the achievements of the Narendra Modi government, Nadda said maternal mortality rate has  seen a decline of 37 points, which is a big achievement in the health sector. 

He also said that three states, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Maharashtra have already achieved the 2030 SDG targets.