Parliament Question: Eradication of Chronic Endemic and Vector-Borne Diseases

GOVERNMENT OFINDIA MINISTRYOFHEALTHAND FAMILYWELFARE DEPARTMENT OFHEALTHAND FAMILYWELFARE LOK SABHA UNSTARREDQUESTION NO. 1022 TOBE ANSWERED ON24.07.2026 ERADICATIONOFCHRONIC ENDEMIC ANDVECTOR-BORNE DISEASES 1022: SHRIMANI A.: Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE be pleasedtostate (a) whether the Government has identified Dharmapuri district, Tamil Nadu, as requiring targeted interventions for the prevention, control and eradication of chronic endemic and vector- borne diseases, including tuberculosis, dengue, malaria and other region-specific communicable diseases, if so, the details thereof; (b) whether any district-specific health action plan has been prepared for Dharmapuri to strengthen disease surveillance, early diagnosis, laboratory infrastructure, awareness campaign and timely treatment, if so, the details thereof; (c) whether the Government has reviewed the effectiveness of the ongoing disease control programmes in Dharmapuri and identified gaps in healthcare infrastructure, manpower and public health outreach, if so, the details thereof; and (d) the measures taken/proposed by the Government along with the fixed timeline to reduce the burden of chronic endemic diseases and improve public health outcomes in Dharmapuri district? ANSWER THE MINISTER OFSTATE INTHE MINISTRYOFHEALTH ANDFAMILYWELFARE (SMT.ANUPRIYAPATEL) (a) to (d) : Public Health is a State Subject and the responsibility for strengthening of healthcare system lies with respective State/Union Territory Governments. However, under National Health Mission (NHM), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India provides financial and technical support to the States/UTs including Tamil Nadu in an integrated manner for prevention, control and eradication of chronic endemic and vector-borne diseases, including Tuberculosis, Dengue, Malaria, Leprosy and other region-specific communicable diseases, based on the Programme Implementation Plans (PIPs) submitted by the States/UTs within their overall resource envelope. The Government has implemented TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan (National TB Elimination Programme), under the aegis of National Health Mission (NHM) across all districts of the country, including Dharmapuri district of Tamil Nadu, with the following objectives:  Early diagnosis of TB patients, prompt treatment with quality assured drugs and treatment regimens.  Private sector engagement to support patients seeking care in the private sector. TB prevention strategies through contact tracing & TB preventive treatment.  Airborne infection control.  Multi-sectoral response for addressing social determinants. The details of measures taken by GoI to address TB in all districts of the Country including Dharmapuri district of Tamil Nadu is as under:  Targeted interventions in high TB burden areas through State and district specific strategic plans  Provision of free drugs and diagnostics to TB patients  Active TB case finding campaigns in key vulnerable populations and congregate settings  Decentralized TB screening and treatment services to the level of Ayushman Arogya Mandir  Private sector engagement with incentives for notification and reporting of treatment outcomes  Scale up of molecular diagnostic laboratories to sub-district levels  Intensified Information, Education & Communication (IEC) campaigns to reduce stigma, enhance community awareness and improve health seeking behaviour  Provision of TB Preventive Treatment to contacts of TB patients and eligible vulnerable population  Tracking notified TB cases through Ni-kshay portal The National Center for Vector Borne Diseases Control (NCVBDC) under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare administers an umbrella programme, namely, National Vector Borne Diseases Control Programme (NVBDCP) for prevention and control of vector borne diseases including Dengue and Malaria. Dharmapuri district is not endemic for Lymphatic Filariasis, Kala azar and Japanese Encephalitis. The Government of India (GoI) has taken the following measures and initiatives for prevention and control of vector borne diseases in the country including Tamil Nadu:  Disease Management involving early case detection with active, passive and sentinel surveillance followed by complete and effective treatment, strengthening of referral services, epidemic preparedness and rapid response.  Integrated Vector Management including Indoor Residual Spray in selected high-risk areas, Bed Nets in high malaria endemic areas, use of larvivorous fish, anti-larval measures in urban areas including bio-larvicides and minor environmental engineering and source reduction for prevention of breeding.  Inter-Sectoral Convergence including high-level advocacy with allied ministries, Human Resource Development through capacity building and policy development.  Supportive Interventions aiming at Information Education and Communication (IEC) & Behaviour Change Communication (BCC) and dissemination of public health messages through various media platforms including social media, radio, newspapers, and electronic media.  States are trained to enter the data on Integrated Health Information Portal (IHIP) portal.  The Government is actively collaborating with State Health Departments and Urban Local Bodies to enhance sanitation, strengthen mosquito control measures, andincrease public awareness for the prevention and control of malaria and other vector- borne diseases (VBDs).  Inter-departmental coordination, involving Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs), Self- Help Groups (SHGs), Public Distribution System (PDS) members, and religious/community leaders to mobilize communities and promote preventive practices.  Technical Guidelines for case management, prevention and control to the States for implementation.  For early diagnosis and complete treatment of malaria, drugs and diagnostics are supplied to the States/UTs through NHM.  For surveillance and free diagnosis of Dengue, a network of 887 Sentinel Surveillance Hospitals (SSHs) and 27 Apex Referral laboratories (ARLs) identified across the country. Out of which, 46 SSHs and 1 ARL are identified in Tamil Nadu. Dharmapuri district has one identified SSH. GoI provides IgM test kits to all identified laboratories through National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune.  Capacity building and training of trainers, community leaders, and frontline workers to enhance outreach at the grassroots level.  Advisories are regularly issued to States and Union Territories including Tamil Nadu to continue promotive, preventive, and curative measures, including outbreak containment. Focused strategies under National Leprosy Eradication Programme (NLEP) are implemented in districts and States including Dharmapuri district, Tamil Nadu reporting a Prevalence Rate (PR) of more than 1 per 10,000 population. The various activities undertaken by GoI for eradication and control of Leprosy in the country including Tamil Nadu are as under : (i) Early detection of cases through Leprosy Case Detection Campaigns (LCDC) (ii) Free Multi-Drug Therapy (MDT) to all diagnosed patients; (iii) Contact tracing and administration of Single-Dose Rifampicin Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (SDR-PEP) to eligible contacts; (iv) Disability Prevention and Medical Rehabilitation (DPMR); (v) Focused Leprosy Campaigns in areas reporting child and Grade-II Disability (G2D) cases, including intensified contact tracing and active case search; (vi) Screening of children through the Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) and Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram (RKSK); (vii) Information, Education and Communication (IEC) activities and capacity building of healthcare workers; and (viii) Continuous disease surveillance and programme monitoring. *****