Battling a tuberculosis death rate that hasn’t indicated a significant fall, the land-locked Northeast state of Meghalaya has now ramped up its TB detection leading to a 126 % surge in presumptive TB examinations as per the latest data released by the State government.
Data released indicates that testing has been increased from 845 people per lakh in 2015 to 1,911 per lakh in 2025.
“This effort is aimed at breaking the last stage diagnosis cycle and preventable deaths. We want to offer treatment as a first line of defence,” said Abhilash Baranwal, deputy commissioner, RiBhoi district, Meghalaya.
He added that the State is part of the Central government’s on-going 100 day intensified TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan campaign to accelerate efforts in finding missing TB cases, reducing deaths, and preventing new infections, particularly in high-burden districts, through community involvement and targeted interventions.
Tech for TB diagnosis
Meghalaya has brought in cutting-edge technology to detect and treat the disease faster, including Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (NAAT) Machines and portable X-rays.
“We have pushed up NAAT machines from 29 in 2021 to 80 in 2024. Additionally, 15 mobile X-ray units have been strategically deployed across the seven districts. This is to ensure that even the most isolated communities receive life saving screening and diagnostics,” said B. Shanpra, district TB officer, East Khasi Hills, Shillong. The State has also brought in zero-cost diagnostics with all necessary laboratory tests and investigations fully covered.
Amica Joan Rynjah, assistant programme officer, National TB Elimination Programme, Meghalaya explained that the 100-day TB Elimination Campaign is being implemented in five districts where the burden of the disease is relatively high: East Khasi Hills, Ribhoi, East Garo Hills, West Garo hills and South Garo hills. The programme notified 4,573 TB cases in 2024 in Meghalaya, and since December 7, 867 patients have tested positive for TB. The death rate of TB has been 5 to 6 per cent over the past 4 years and has now started falling.
Free transport
The State has also introduced free transportation for TB patients and one attendant — from home to the health facility and back.
“We are giving nutritional support of ₹2,000 per month to boost immunity and ensure faster recovery for patients and their families, and are also providing skill development to those who have recovered. Health is a community subject and the idea is to ensure that patients recover fast and well, so that the disease doesn’t push them into an economic crisis,” said Ramkumar S, secretary and MD, National Health Mission, Shillong.
He added that the Meghalaya comprehensive TB Care Programme also covers adolescents and makes them aware of TB through social media influencers, organising testing camps at educational institutes etc.
“Catching patients early, offering robust treatment, ensuring that they stay on the treatment course and also that they stay safe from the disease in the future is vital. The patient-first approach is not just about fighting TB, it is about tackling economic and social challenges to quality TB care and reducing barriers to care for a disease that has a challenging treatment regimen and is often deeply stigmatised,” he added.
