Tow-Day National TB Summit, for raising awareness and increasing momentum to fight against TB is being held in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh on 7th and 8th April. The TB Summit will conclude with a friendly cricket match between Bollywood celebrities and Members of Parliament.
- Governor of Punjab VP Singh Badnore and Himachal Pradesh Health Minister Kaul Singh Thakur inaugurate the summit.
- This is the first such summit on TB which will bring together Central & State Ministers, Members of Parliament (MPs), celebrities, bureaucrats, donors, corporate partners, health experts and organisations working to eradicate TB. All these stakeholders will pledge their support for ‘TB free India by 2025’.
Joint Organisers of the TB Summit:
International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union) supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)’s, Challenge TB project.
- The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria
- World Health Organisation (WHO)
In association with:
- Government of India
- Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
- Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA)
India Vs. TB Cricket Match:
On second day of the summit a friendly T20 cricket match dubbed as India Vs. TB will be played between teams of Bollywood celebrities and Members of Parliament at Dharamshala Cricket Stadium. The Bollywood team will be led by actor Bobby Deol, whereas Lok Sabha Member Anurag Thakur will lead the MPs team.
Other dignitaries who will attend this event: Union Ministers JP Nadda, Venkaiah Naidu, Rajiv Pratap Rudy and Kiran Rijiju, former Himachal Pradesh chief minister Prem Kumar Dhumal and NITI Aayog member Bibek Debroy.
What is Tuberculosis (TB)?
Tuberculosis (TB) is a contagious disease which affects the lung and is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB). Cough, fever, weight loss and night sweats are typical symptoms of TB. It is an airborne disease i.e. transmitted through air.
- Every year 24th March is observed as ‘World Tuberculosis Day’ across the world.
TB in India:
TB is one of the most serious health challenges faced by India. India is home to 27% of TB patients and accounts for 38% of TB deaths worldwide.
- ‘Call to Action for TB Free India’ campaign was launched by Union health Minister J P Nadda in April 2015 with an objective to form new alliances, increase political will and commitment and mobilise resources for eradicating TB from India.
- Including Bollywood Veteran Amitabh Bachchan, this campaign was supported by many high profile stakeholders. Amitabh Bachchan is a TB survivor and was the face of ‘TB Harega, Desh Jeetega’ Campaign.
