The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind, in his message on the eve of World Tuberculosis Day, which is observed every year on March 24, has said:-

“I am happy to learn that World Tuberculosis Day is being observed on 24th March, 2022 to raise public awareness about Tuberculosis (TB). On this day in the year 1882, Dr. Robert Koch announced the discovery of the bacteria that causes TB. It paved the way for diagnosis and cure of this deadly disease.

The outbreak of Covid-19 and the emergence of new variants of corona virus had brought unprecedented stress on the country’s healthcare system. It posed an extraordinary challenge to the healthcare infrastructure. The combined efforts of Centre and the State Governments along with our healthcare workers in launching the world’s biggest vaccination drive strengthened our fight against the pandemic.

I am happy to note that National TB Elimination Program was quick to deploy effective mitigation measures and adapted to the changed environment to ensure that the TB patients across the country had access to treatment, despite facing many challenges due to the pandemic.

I convey my best wishes for the launch of the India TB Report 2022. I take this occasion to congratulate all the TB champions who have battled the disease and are showing the way for others. Let us all work together to achieve a TB-free India by 2025”.

Please click here to see the President's message.

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DS/BM