Healthcare / National TB Conclave Ends at AIIMS Bhubaneswar; Experts Call for Genomic Surveillance

Bhubaneswar, Aug 8: The National Conclave & Policy Dialogue on Tuberculosis concluded at AIIMS Bhubaneswar, bringing together policymakers, scientists, clinicians, researchers, and public health leaders to deliberate on strengthening TB diagnosis, surveillance, and research in pursuit of India’s vision of a TB-Mukt Bharat, officials said on Saturday.

The two-day event’s valedictory session was graced by Odisha Legislative Assembly Speaker Surama Padhy as Chief Guest, alongside Health Minister Dr. Mukesh Mahaling.

Addressing the gathering, Padhy emphasized that TB elimination is not merely a public health initiative but a national movement requiring collective responsibility, scientific innovation, and community participation. She called for stronger collaboration between AIIMS Bhubaneswar, the Odisha Government, and stakeholders to translate evidence into effective implementation.

Highlighting the challenge of drug-resistant TB, she stressed the importance of Universal Drug Susceptibility Testing (UDST) and advanced genotypic surveillance to improve patient outcomes and reduce transmission.

On his part, Health Minister Dr. Mahaling reiterated the State Government’s commitment to collaborate with AIIMS Bhubaneswar on evidence-based pilot projects. He emphasized that innovations in diagnostics must reach rural and tribal communities where timely detection remains critical.

AIIMS Bhubaneswar Executive Director Dr. Ashutosh Biswas announced plans to initiate advanced TB testing in two districts on a pilot basis, aimed at generating evidence for wider adoption. He underlined the institute’s role in advancing molecular diagnostics, genomics, and policy development for Eastern India.
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Experts at the conclave called for a robust collaborative framework involving AIIMS Bhubaneswar, the Odisha Government, NTEP, research institutions, and development partners to strengthen TB surveillance, operational research, and implementation science.

The conclave concluded with a strong message: eliminating TB requires coordinated action across government, academia, and communities, with Odisha poised to play a pivotal role in advancing India’s TB-Mukt Bharat mission.