Bhubaneswar: The State-level observance of World Tuberculosis Day 2026 was held at Lok Seva Bhavan on Tuesday under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, who also inaugurated the 100-day campaign under TB-Mukt Bharat Abhiyan 2.0 in the state.
At the national level, Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda launched the “TB-Mukt Bharat: 100-Day Campaign-2.0,” with the Chief Minister joining the programme virtually from Lok Seva Bhavan.
Marking the state-level launch, Majhi presented a food basket to Priyadarshini Behera, a tuberculosis survivor from Bhubaneswar, symbolising community support for patients.
Addressing the gathering, Nadda said the Centre has adopted a comprehensive and action-oriented strategy for the next 100 days to make India tuberculosis-free, emphasising that the initiative goes beyond slogans with concrete arrangements in place.
Majhi called upon citizens to actively participate in the fight against tuberculosis, stating that government efforts alone would not suffice. “Public participation is essential to achieve complete eradication of tuberculosis from Odisha and the country,” he said.
He urged public representatives to organise awareness programmes in their respective areas to dispel myths and misconceptions surrounding the disease. The Chief Minister also appealed to self-help groups, civil society organisations and educational institutions to play an active role in the campaign.
In his address, Majhi also questioned the previous dispensation over the non-implementation of Ayushman Bharat in Odisha, stating that it deprived people of access to treatment in thousands of empanelled hospitals across the country.
Highlighting the state’s healthcare focus, he said ₹23,182 crore has been allocated for the health sector in 2026–27, accounting for 7.5 per cent of the total budget and 2.1 per cent of the Gross State Domestic Product. He noted that initiatives such as the Chief Minister’s Health Services Mission, National Health Mission, Niramaya and Nidan are aimed at expanding healthcare access and providing free diagnostic and treatment services.
Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling said intensified efforts would be made to strengthen tuberculosis control measures, particularly in rural and remote areas.
Health Department Commissioner-cum-Secretary Aswathy S. delivered the welcome address, while Public Health Director Dr. Nilakantha Mishra proposed the vote of thanks. Officials said all districts participated in the programme virtually to mark the occasion.
