Puducherry has become the first Union Territory in India to integrate tuberculosis (TB) screening into the National Medical Commission’s Family Adoption Programme (FAP).

The initiative empowers MBBS students to screen families for TB, ensuring early diagnosis and treatment.

Key Points:

• Puducherry is the first region in India to include TB screening under the Family Adoption Programme, where medical students adopt and monitor families.
• Students conduct regular visits to screen family members, support TB testing, guide treatment, and ensure therapy completion for affected individuals.
• The initiative enhances early detection through active case finding and aims to reduce TB transmission within communities.
• Puducherry has implemented 100% upfront molecular diagnostics (CBNAAT/NAAT), with its Government Chest Hospital ranked No.1 nationally for TB testing.
• The Union Territory has already declared eight TB-free villages and aims to expand this to 40 villages by year-end, contributing to India’s TB elimination mission.