Introduction & Rationale A district-level Initiative, a ‘TB Mukt Panchayat’ campaign was launched in the presence of the Chairman, District Development Council (DDC), Kupwara, and Block Development Council (BDC) members. At this event, they were sensitized about the National Tuberculosis Elimination Program (NTEP) programmatic indicators for scaling up TB elimination activities in their respective panchayats. A booklet was provided to them that detailed various aspects of the NTEP programme within Kupwara district. Objectives Sensitization of PRI Members Involvement of PRI members in various activities of NTEP Programme Action Plan for TB Mukt Panchayat. Scale up activities to achieve the target of TB-free district ahead of 2025. Overall approach and Key strategies: Under the banner of ‘TB Mukt Panchayat’, the campaign was kick-started by sarpanches (village heads) and ward members of the respective Panchayats. The NTEP staff along with other health workers headed by respective sarpanches led mass awareness activities and conducted door-to-door screening of one panchayat per block every month for early detection of cases. House to house Active Case Finding (ACF) in high risk group areas was undertaken jointly by NTEP Staff, HWC Staff and ASHAs for a complete evaluation of presumptive cases. All symptomatics were made to undergo molecular testing upfront. A Public Health Institution (PHI)-wise Designated Microscopy Centre (DMC) has been established in the district, as well as two NAAT sites for better accessibility and quality diagnosis. All diagnosed persons were linked with all PHIs for treatment. Universal Drug Susceptibility Testing (UDST), HIV and diabetes screening was done for all diagnosed people as per programme guidelines. During house-to-house screening, IEC activities were also be carried out in the said panchayats to create more awareness about TB and the programme. Implementation The campaign was started from August 8, 2022 across the district of Kupwara with support of PRI Members. Geography covered: The intervention will cover all rural, urban, tribal, and hard-to-reach areas of the entire district of Kupwara.Target population: 10.7 lacs.Time period: 2022 - 2025Key activities: Awareness, Active screening, Screening of Schools, Dar-ul-ulooms, Boarding Schools, Nomads etc. Outcomes 7200 people were screened in the month of August 2022 and no person was diagnosed. Key Recommendations NAAT facilities should be made available at all DMCs for upfront testing. Potential for replication and scale-up All Panchayats will be involved in similar TB elimination activities to achieve the vision of a TB-free Kupwara ahead of 2025. Source : TBC India