New Delhi: The Government of India has designated 36 Joint Secretary-level officers as State Prabharis for the TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan, assigning them specific States and Union Territories to strengthen coordination and accelerate efforts towards TB elimination.

The move follows a PRAGATI meeting held on June 24, 2026, on the implementation of the TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan, where it was decided that Joint Secretary-level officers from Central ministries and departments would be assigned to States and UTs to support the campaign.

According to an Office Memorandum issued by the Department of Personnel and Training on August 7, the officers will act as the nodal interface between the Government of India and their respective States/UTs, ensuring continuous coordination and alignment of TB elimination efforts.

The State Prabharis will regularly review and monitor the campaign’s progress, including screening of vulnerable populations, case detection, treatment coverage, nutritional support, preventive treatment for household contacts and eligible vulnerable populations, and Jan Bhagidari initiatives.

They will also ensure the timely selection and effective functioning of Class-I Nodal Officers at the block level and facilitate the constitution and operationalisation of TB Mukt Bharat Teams comprising NCC and NYS volunteers to strengthen grassroots implementation and community outreach.

The officers have been tasked with identifying implementation gaps, operational challenges and bottlenecks, undertaking periodic field visits to districts and blocks, particularly high-TB-burden areas, and coordinating with State authorities for timely resolution.

The memorandum further calls for close coordination with Chief Secretaries, State Health Departments and District Administrations, as well as convergence with other government schemes and departments to support a comprehensive response to TB.

The State Prabharis will also intensify Nikshay Mitra support for TB patients and their families, strengthen accountability and data-driven monitoring, and encourage efficient utilisation of financial, human and healthcare resources under the national programme.

They will promote community participation and public awareness, engage civil society and private-sector stakeholders, identify best practices for replication and provide regular feedback to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on progress, challenges and required interventions.

The deployment of senior officers across States and UTs is aimed at strengthening last-mile implementation, inter-governmental coordination and monitoring of India’s TB elimination efforts.

BI Bureau