UP became ‘TB control model’ from ‘TB capital’, a big achievement recorded in the top-6 states of the country.

Lucknow. Uttar Pradesh has the highest number of TB (tuberculosis) patients in the country. Every fifth TB patient in India is from UP. That is why Uttar Pradesh is also called the ‘capital of TB’. However, despite having the highest number of patients, the state is continuously getting success in controlling TB. Uttar Pradesh has become one of the top six states in the country in terms of TB control on the basis of better work on various parameters including timely detection of TB, testing, treatment and providing nutritional support to the patients. Experts say that to completely eliminate TB, the most effective solution is to identify as many patients as possible and complete the complete course of medicines.

Fluctuations in the graph of TB patients

According to data from the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, there were about five lakh TB patients in Uttar Pradesh in 2022. In 2023, their number will increase to 6.24 lakh. More than 6.73 lakh TB patients were identified in 2024. Which was more than the target of 6.5 lakhs of the Central TB Division for 2024. After this the number of TB patients decreased. Between December 7, 2024 and October 19, 2025, 2.38 crore high-risk people were screened. In this, TB was confirmed in 5.14 lakh people.

Claim of reduction in TB patients this year

State Tuberculosis Officer (STO) Dr. Rishi Kumar Saxena said that in Uttar Pradesh, more than 31 lakh people were tested for TB from March 24 to the first week of July this year. For this, 25,821 Ayushman health camps were set up. More than 24 thousand high risk areas out of more than 26 thousand villages and wards were covered. So far, 1.85 lakh new TB patients have been discovered in the state. According to Dr. Saxena, the data from the year 2025 till now proves that this year (2026) also the number of TB patients will decrease.

TB testing of passengers at airports

STO said that Uttar Pradesh is the first state in the country to test for TB at international and national airports. 800 people were screened for TB with hand-held X-ray machines at Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport (Lucknow), Noida International Airport (Jewar), Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport (Varanasi) and Mahayogi Gorakhnath Airport (Gorakhpur).

Public representatives involved in the campaign

According to Dr. Saxena, the Governor, Chief Minister, Health Minister and about 212 ministers from other states including Uttar Pradesh participated in the 100-day intensive TB eradication campaign. 182 MPs, 909 MLAs and Legislative Council members from across the country including UP, four lakh students of 8458 schools of the state, more than three lakh youth through five thousand colleges joined the public awareness campaign against TB.

More than 2.06 lakh nutrition kits distributed

During this period, nine thousand urban body representatives and 34 thousand Panchayati Raj representatives went from village to village to make people aware about TB. At the same time, 13302 TB winners (people who have been cured of TB) also made people aware about TB in their respective areas. He said that more than 5 thousand new Nikshay Mitras were registered to provide nutrition and social support to the patients. With their help, more than 2.06 lakh nutrition kits have been distributed so far.

TB can occur in every part of the body

Dr. Anand Kumar Gupta, senior tuberculosis specialist at Balrampur Hospital, said that TB is an infectious disease. It is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria. He told that TB can occur in any part of the body except hair and nails. About 90 percent of TB cases occur in the lungs, which is called pulmonary TB. When TB bacteria affects other parts of the body instead of the lungs, it is called extra pulmonary TB (EP TB).

Not every infected person is a TB patient

According to Dr. Gupta, not every person infected with TB bacteria falls ill. Infection and disease are different. When the TB bacteria remains inactive (dormant) when it enters the body, it is called latent TB. No symptoms are visible in this. The person feels completely healthy and does not have any disease. When the immunity is weak, bacteria grow in the body and affect the lungs or other organs. He told that only 10 percent people have active TB. Negligence in the treatment of TB can make this disease fatal.

Incomplete treatment is dangerous

The tuberculosis specialist said that when a TB patient sneezes, coughs, laughs or spits, TB bacteria spread through droplets in the air. Anyone breathing air with the bacteria can become infected. He told that treatment of TB is completely possible. Provided the patient takes medicines regularly for six months. Stopping the medicine without doctor’s advice can result in the disease returning to a more serious form of MDR (Multi Drug Resistant) TB. According to records, seven to eight TB patients are coming to the OPD of Balrampur Hospital every day.