Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to address the ‘One World TB Summit’ in Varanasi on March 24th, which is World Tuberculosis Day. The event is being organized by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and Stop TB Partnership, a United Nations-hosted organization that amplifies the voices of people, communities, and countries affected by the disease. During the event, Modi will launch various initiatives worth over Rs 1,780 crore, including the TB-free panchayat initiative, an official rollout of a shorter TB Preventive Treatment (TPT) countrywide, and a family-centric care model for TB. He will also release India’s Annual TB Report 2023 and award select states, Union Territories, and districts for their progress towards ending the disease.
During the “End TB” summit held in the national capital in March 2018, Modi had called for the country to achieve TB-related sustainable development goals targets by 2025, five years ahead of the stipulated time. The One World TB Summit will provide an opportunity to further deliberate upon the targets as the country moves forward to meet its objectives.
In addition to the TB Summit, Modi will also dedicate and lay the foundation stones of projects worth over Rs 1,780 crore during a program at the Sampurnanand Sanskrit University ground. This includes laying the foundation stone of the passenger ropeway from Varanasi Cantt station to Godowlia, estimated to cost around Rs 645 crore. Modi has put a special focus on transforming the landscape of Varanasi and enhancing ease of living for the people living in the city and its adjoining areas in the last nine years.
