One of the largest districts of Himachal Pradesh, Kangra has emerged as a model of success in the fight against tuberculosis (TB).
The district has transformed its approach through strong leadership, people’s participation, and compassionate health outreach, which is creating an enabling environment for TB testing, treatment completion, and good quality of life during the treatment journey.
A formidable challenge in TB elimination remains social stigma, many people are still dying of a curable disease due to fear and discrimination. The India National TB Prevalence Survey revealed that many people delay seeking care due to fear of social exclusion, making stigma a major barrier to early diagnosis and treatment.
However, with active engagement from the District Administration, Kangra has adopted a multi-sectoral response, bringing together health, education, social welfare, and community organisations to strengthen End TB efforts across all levels.
“In Kangra, misconceptions are being actively confronted through open dialogue, youth engagement, and community empowerment. With teamwork between the Health Department and an inspired citizen network, the district has turned the national goal of TBMuktBharat into a movement, showing that awareness and empathy are as powerful as medicine in ending TB,” said Dr Vivek Karol, Chief Medical Officer, Kangra.
“If people have an enabling environment for testing and a comfortable treatment journey, they will become brand ambassadors and help address the taboo,” he added.
Kangra’s frontline workers, educators, and local influencers have reshaped public perception through community dialogues, school sessions, street theatre, and patient storytelling. TB is now discussed more openly, empowering individuals to seek early diagnosis and families to support recovery rather than isolate patients.
Further strengthening its response, the district has doubled the number of Nikshay Shivirs for chest X-ray screening of vulnerable populations this month, a proactive step to ensure early detection, timely treatment, and reduced transmission.
“We want that no one should hide their illness or suffer in silence. TB is curable and cure is free for all,” said Dr Rajesh Sood, District Health Officer-cum-District TB Officer, Kangra.
The district’s true strength lies in its people. Kangra has enrolled 16,387 Nikshay Mitras, the highest in Himachal Pradesh, making it a leader in community-driven TB support. These volunteers and organisations, including Red Ribbon Clubs, My Bharat Volunteers, NSS, NCC, and Self-Help Groups, have become the backbone of psychosocial care and awareness activities.
Dr Sood said “TB care in Kangra goes beyond hospitals. It reaches homes and communities through compassion and communication, and our volunteers ensure that no TB patient feels alone.
“The Nikshay Mitras are the heartbeat of Kangra’s TB elimination drive. Their compassion, time, and care have given strength to thousands of patients and families. Each volunteer is the real champion of change,” Dr. Sood added.
It is pertinent to mention that Kangra was recently awarded by the State Government for Best ACSM (Advocacy, Communication & Social Mobilisation) Activities, recognising its innovative, people-centric, and inclusive outreach campaign for TB elimination.
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