End TB movement event was hosted by the Government of Telangana on 24th.

March in Hyderabad, with support from Tuberculosis Health Action Learning Initiative (THALI) and its implementing agencies KHPT and TB Alert India (TBAI). The End TB movement announcement in Telangana showcases the government will and commitment to TB elimination and work towards it. The announcement comes at a time when the Prime Minister’s Office has also declared its intent and efforts to eliminate TB in India through (I) community engagement and (II) private sector engagement. The key objectives of announcing the End TB movement are:

• Increase government stewardship and plan expansion of THALI in other districts/cities of Telangana.
• Help create model centres for Demonstration and Learning at the DMC level in each district.
• To build government and private resource commitments to eliminate TB from Telangana.
• Pioneer multi-sector partnerships to increase awareness about TB among the urban poor and health service providers.

The key stakeholder in this announcement is the State TB Office and focus of efforts is to seek a long term commitment from the Government of Telangana toward TB elimination. The event was inaugurated by Dr. Lalitha Kumari, Director of Public Health & Family Welfare and was graced by Dr. Ramani, Director Medical Education, Dr. Ch. Suryaprakash, State TB Officer, chairman of the RNTCP Zonal Task Force Dr. K Subhakar. The chief guest for the event was the Consulate General of Hyderabad Ms. Katherine B Hadda. She spoke about the long standing partnership between US and India on TB prevention, treatment, research, and cure. She formally announced the TB-free movement in Telangana by releasing the End TB movement Brochure designed and developed by THALI for the state of Telangana.