UN Special Envoy on TB ends five-day visit to India

The United Nations Special Envoy on Tuberculosis (TB) Dr Eric Goosby's five day visit to India, which was aimed at understanding the challenges of the national TB programme and discussing plans to eliminate the disease, ended today.
He also engaged with the Indian leadership to lend his support to further accelerate the momentum towards ending TB in the country.
"The Health Ministry has developed a national strategic plan that is progressive and grounded in science. The challenge now is to translate this plan into action. India certainly has the talent and political will to make this happen," Goosby said after meeting Union Health Minister J P Nadda during his visit.

WHO Representative to India Dr Henk Bekedam said, " There is strong political commitment at the highest level, including the prime minister and the health minister, which has re- invigorated the TB programme."
"The government has taken steps to prioritise TB care and management, especially with the adoption of the National Strategic Plan for Tuberculosis Elimination 2017-2025," he added.