Patna: In a bid to eliminate tuberculosis (TB), the state detected 8,537 TB patients during an intensive statewide screening campaign conducted between July 2 and July 19. The state health department on Thursday said it screened over 95.32 lakh people against a target of one crore, with all 95,32,242 individuals registered on the central Nikshay portal.To improve diagnostic accuracy, health authorities conducted 3,14,764 digital X-rays among vulnerable groups and carried out 58,255 Nucleic Acid Amplification Tests (NAATs).Highlighting the state’s efforts, health minister Nishant Kumar said, “A TB-Free Bihar is our resolute pledge. Our goal extends beyond identification—we are committed to ensuring timely treatment, nutritional support and comprehensive care for every patient until full recovery.”As part of measures to curb transmission, 19,123 household contacts of active TB patients were enrolled in TB Preventive Treatment (TPT). The govt also distributed 9,679 food baskets and provided direct financial assistance to 43,398 beneficiaries under the Nikshay Poshan Yojana through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).The health department urged people experiencing a persistent cough for more than two weeks, prolonged fever, unexplained weight loss or night sweats to visit the nearest govt health facility for free testing and treatment.
