New Delhi, May 21 (H.S.): Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Jagat Prakash Nadda said during an event held alongside the World Health Assembly that timely screening, early diagnosis, and equitable access to treatment form the foundation of a strong and people-centric healthcare system. He stated that lung health screening is not limited merely to technology or equipment, but is fundamentally linked to saving lives, reducing suffering, and strengthening healthcare systems.

Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda participated in the event titled *“Ministerial Perspective: Lung Health Screening”* during the 79th session of the World Health Assembly. The programme was organised by the Stop TB Partnership and co-hosted by India, Japan, the Philippines, and Zambia.

Nadda said that under the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme and the vision of a TB-Free India, the country is carrying out the world’s largest screening and early detection campaign. Door-to-door screening, mobile testing units, community outreach drives, and special campaigns in high-risk areas are being conducted across the country.

He stated that India has significantly expanded the use of modern diagnostic technologies, including molecular testing platforms, digital chest X-ray services, AI-based interpretation tools, handheld screening devices, and decentralised testing systems. These initiatives are aimed particularly at reducing delays in diagnosis in remote and underserved regions.

The Health Minister emphasized that diagnosis alone is not sufficient, and that nutritional support, treatment adherence, social protection, and community participation are equally important. Through the TB Mukt Bharat campaign, citizens, institutions, corporate organisations, and communities are being connected to support TB patients and their families.

He further said that the TB Mukt Bharat application includes “Khushi,” an AI-powered multilingual chatbot that provides real-time information regarding symptoms, patient rights, and nearby screening centres.

Calling for greater global cooperation, Nadda said that no country can tackle the challenges of lung health screening and tuberculosis elimination alone. He stressed the need to integrate lung screening into universal health coverage frameworks, improve access to affordable diagnostic technologies, strengthen primary healthcare systems, promote innovation and domestic manufacturing, and ensure sustainable financial support mechanisms.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar