0
0
New Delhi, November 20: The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has joined hands with Johns Hopkins University (JHU) to spearhead new initiatives aimed at eliminating tuberculosis (TB) in India, with a specific focus on children.
As part of this collaboration, JHU has introduced the TB-Free Schools Initiative, a program designed to address the rising number of TB cases among children under 15. The initiative is being launched in partnership with the Serum Institute of India and AIIMS Gorakhpur.
Building on the success of a pilot project in Himachal Pradesh that achieved an 87% reduction in TB cases in residential schools, the program will now be expanded to Pune and Satara in Maharashtra, Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh, and Chennai in Tamil Nadu. The initiative focuses on preventing, diagnosing, and treating both active and latent TB cases among students. It will also provide essential care linkages, education, and counselling for affected families.
“Addressing childhood TB is critical for eliminating tuberculosis in India,” emphasized Dr. Urvashi B. Singh, Deputy Director General of the Central Tuberculosis Division. She noted that these efforts would introduce cost-effective screening methods, making nationwide school deployment feasible.
A Broader Commitment to Public Health and Equality
In addition to tackling TB, JHU has also launched an initiative to promote gender equality in STEMM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine) in India. Supported by the US Department of State, the program will mentor and train 40 early-career women in STEMM fields, preparing them for senior roles in research and development.
“India is a place of tremendous talent and opportunity, and Johns Hopkins values its enduring collaborations in India and their impact,” said Ronald J. Daniels, President of Johns Hopkins University. “We are excited to launch these two initiatives that reflect our shared commitment to innovation and human flourishing.”
The Ministry’s partnership with JHU underscores a strengthened global collaboration in addressing pressing health challenges while fostering gender equity in critical sectors.
