Baby Chakraborty, KalimNews, Kolkata, March 24, 2025: World Tuberculosis Day was observed globally on March 24 to raise awareness about tuberculosis (TB) and further the efforts to eradicate it from the world. In India, the Union Ministry of Health has been actively working towards a TB-free nation, launching the National Tuberculosis Eradication Programme, ‘100 Days of TB Eradication,’ which began on December 9 last year and concluded on World Tuberculosis Day.
In Kolkata, the occasion was marked by an event at the Maa Sarada Charitable Dispensary, which is run by the Bagbazar Ramakrishna Math. The event focused on screening marginalized communities for tuberculosis, in collaboration with the Kolkata branch of the National Small Industries Corporation (NSIC). This effort is part of the broader initiative to tackle TB in India and raise awareness among the public.
Dr. Anupam Gayan, Zonal General Manager of NSIC in Kolkata, highlighted the importance of increasing screening efforts to identify and address TB cases early. He emphasized that more testing is necessary to detect TB in communities and ensure timely treatment. To support these efforts, NSIC donated TB testing kits, contributing to the nationwide battle against tuberculosis.
Sannasi Swami Abhinnanand Maharaj, Project Coordinator of Bagbazar Ramakrishna Math, announced plans to test 1,000 patients for tuberculosis starting from this day. With the support of NSIC, the organization aims to provide free medication to these patients and expand the testing efforts in the future, with the goal of further increasing the number of individuals tested in the coming months.
This collaboration between the Ramakrishna Math and NSIC underscores the collective effort required to achieve a tuberculosis-free India, and the importance of community participation and support in this crucial health mission.