Haryana's TB-Free Panchayat Initiative Gains Momentum: Over 2,100 Gram Panchayats Eligible for 2025 Certification
The Haryana government has made a significant announcement regarding its public health efforts, revealing that 2,157 gram panchayats are now eligible for TB-free certification in 2025. This figure accounts for an impressive 35% of the state's total 6,237 panchayats, showcasing substantial progress in the fight against tuberculosis at the grassroots level.
Initiative Overview and Growth Trajectory
Dr. Sumita Misra, Additional Chief Secretary of the Health and Family Welfare Department, provided detailed insights into this development. The TB Mukt Panchayat initiative was officially launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on World TB Day, March 24, 2023, in Varanasi. Its primary objectives include empowering Panchayati Raj Institutions to understand and address tuberculosis-related challenges, fostering healthy competition among panchayats, and recognizing their contributions to TB elimination.
The growth in TB-free panchayat certifications over the past three years reflects the increasing momentum of this program. In 2023, Haryana secured 574 certifications, all in the Bronze category, covering just 9% of total panchayats. By 2024, this number nearly tripled to 1,855 panchayats, comprising 1,542 Bronze and 313 Silver certifications, which represented 30% of the state's panchayats. The 2025 tally has risen further to 2,157 eligible panchayats, now covering 35% of the total.
Certification Structure and Verification Process
Dr. Misra explained that the initiative follows a structured 3-tier certification system:
- Bronze Certification: Awarded to panchayats maintaining TB-free status for the first year.
- Silver Certification: Granted to those sustaining TB-free status for two consecutive years.
- Gold Certification: Bestowed upon panchayats that remain TB-free for three consecutive years.
Certificates are issued annually on World TB Day, March 24, by the deputy commissioner and are valid for one year. The verification process is rigorous, involving six key indicators that must be validated by a multi-tier mechanism. This includes assessments by the district development and panchayati raj officer, the civil surgeon, and the deputy civil surgeon from another district to ensure impartiality.
Breakdown of 2025 Certifications
Of the 2,157 panchayats found eligible in 2025, the distribution across certification levels is as follows:
- 211 panchayats qualified for Gold status.
- 646 panchayats achieved Silver status.
- 1,300 panchayats received Bronze status.
Dr. Misra emphasized that this structured verification process ensures only panchayats genuinely meeting all prescribed indicators are certified, thereby lending credibility and integrity to the program. This meticulous approach helps maintain high standards and encourages continuous improvement among local governance bodies in their health initiatives.
The success of the TB Mukt Panchayat initiative in Haryana highlights the effectiveness of community-driven health programs and sets a benchmark for other states to follow in the national effort to eliminate tuberculosis.
