Ministry of Women and Child Development isorganizing a National Conference on Tuberculosis tomorrow i.e., on 16^thDecember, 2021, at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.The Conference aims at discussing various policy interventions and intends to garner the support of parliamentarians to own and support the implementation of gender-sensitive policies at the ground level.Hon’ble Vice President Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu will be the Chief Guest at the National Conference. The Minister of Women & Child Development Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani and Minister of Health & Family Welfare Shri Mansukh Mandaviya will grace the event and deliberate upon various issues with the participants to ensure/inculcate Gender-Responsive TB Care.

Tuberculosis remains a public health challenge worldwide, negatively impacting the lives of around 26 lakh individuals every year in India alone. On the social front, social stigma and discrimination is faced by those affected by TB, and by their families. Societal constraints restrict women affected by TB from freely accessing prompt and continued care. This affects their role as caretakers and prevents prioritization of their nutrition, health, and well-being.

As India is a signatory to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), our national development agenda has been aligned to eradicate TB from the grassroots level.  Hon’ble Prime Minister of India announced the government’s vision to eliminate TB by 2025, which is ahead of the SDG timeline of 2030. It is envisaged to make a TB-free India with zero deaths and zero TB disease. Achievement of these goals will only be possible if we adopt a comprehensive approach to ending TB–including a shift towards gender-sensitive and gender- specific interventions.

The national focus is based on recognizing various socio-cultural barriers to tuberculosis prevention, diagnosis, and treatment services especially for the vulnerable section of the society or also those in vulnerable situations.  There is a need to develop integrated, people-centred, community-based and gender-responsive health services based on human rights.

To tackle TB at a granular level, our focus is based on the principles of non-discrimination, informed choice, informed consent, confidentiality, respect for all, access for all, working in partnership, promoting rights of individuals and groups, fostering accountability, and empowering communities.

Contributing to this end, the Ministry of Women & Child Development (MoWCD), and Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoH&FW), jointly with organisations working in this area are taking up the issue of Gender-Responsive TB Care through a series of National and Regional Conferences.

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