Testing push helps Haryana register 98% TB detection target

Gurgaon: Driven by expanded testing and diagnostic capacity, Haryana's tuberculosis detection has improved significantly over the past year.The state notified 98% of its annual TB target after surpassing sputum testing benchmarks, according to data reviewed at a health department meeting on Wednesday. This means the state was able to identify and formally register nearly all the TB cases it was expected to detect in 2025. The target for 2025 was 90,500 TB cases.
Between Jan and Dec 2025, the state conducted 12.52 lakh sputum tests against a target of 9.75 lakh, achieving 3,848 tests per lakh population, an indicator of strengthened surveillance systems.Officials clarified that the rise in case notification — 88,689 TB cases in 2025 — reflected better detection and reporting rather than an abrupt increase in disease burden. TB notifications in Haryana rose by 2,518 cases in 2025, a 2.92% increase over 2024. In 2024, the notifications rose by 8.86%, increasing from 79,160 cases in 2023 to 86,171 cases.The improved testing base reduced underreporting, particularly in high-burden and previously underserved pockets.Additional chief secretary (health) Sumita Misra said on Wednesday the TB programme is shifting from detection-centric strategies to a more holistic approach. "The focus is moving towards continuity of care, digital tracking and post-treatment rehabilitation, even as early diagnosis remains uneven across districts," she said.One of the key gains came from the private sector, where notification crossed 105% of the annual target, marking a notable improvement in reporting from private hospitals, historically a weak link in India's TB surveillance system.Still, officials acknowledged that higher notification does not necessarily imply timely diagnosis. Migrant workers, low-income urban communities and remote rural populations often seek care late, delaying confirmation and treatment initiation. Districts such as Karnal, Hisar and Ambala reported a decline in TB cases, with Ambala showing a 7.31% drop, prompting internal reviews to determine whether these declines reflect true epidemiological changes or surveillance gaps.On the diagnostics front, Haryana exceeded its rapid molecular testing target, achieving 80% coverage against a 70% benchmark. Treatment outcomes remained strong: in 2024, the state recorded a 90% treatment success rate, alongside 98% HIV testing and 96% diabetes screening among TB patients. Universal drug susceptibility testing reached 90% of confirmed cases. The state currently operates 23 district TB centres, 168 TB units, 452 microscopy centres, multiple CBNAAT and Truenat machines and two C&DST labs.Beyond surveillance, Haryana launched initiatives aimed at accelerating progress towards the national goal of eliminating TB by 2025. In 2022, the health department introduced an ‘adoption model', encouraging corporates and private hospitals to support TB patients and bridge care gaps. Haryana ranks fourth nationally in TB prevalence, with 465 cases per lakh population, according to the national TB prevalence survey (2019–2021).To strengthen last-mile detection, the state launched the 100-day National Nikshay TB Elimination Campaign in Dec 2024, focusing on comprehensive testing, tracking, treatment and technology to reduce diagnostic delays and improve outcomes, particularly among high-risk groups.