Bhubaneswar: AIIMS Bhubaneswar is preparing to work with the Odisha govt to intensify tuberculosis (TB) elimination measures in the state. As part of the initiative, advanced TB testing is expected to be introduced on a pilot basis in two districts, official sources said on Saturday.The proposal was discussed during the National Conclave and Policy Dialogue on Tuberculosis held in Bhubaneswar on Friday evening. Odisha assembly speaker Surama Padhy, who attended the event, called for closer coordination among AIIMS Bhubaneswar, the state govt and other stakeholders to ensure that scientific findings are translated into practical public health action.Padhy also suggested pilot projects using advanced genotypic testing to create evidence that could guide future TB policies. She underlined the need for early identification of drug-resistant TB, saying that Universal Drug Susceptibility Testing can help improve treatment outcomes, curb transmission and make public health systems stronger.Health minister Mukesh Mahaling said TB elimination cannot be achieved without coordinated participation from govt agencies, medical institutions, researchers, laboratories, frontline workers, development partners and local communities. “The Odisha govt is open to working with AIIMS Bhubaneswar and other partners on evidence-based pilot projects to assess whether advanced diagnostic tools are feasible, affordable and scalable within the public health system. Diagnostic innovations must benefit people living in rural, tribal and remote regions, where timely and accurate detection is critical,” he said.AIIMS Bhubaneswar executive director Dr Ashutosh Biswas said the institute remains committed to strengthening TB research, molecular diagnostics, genomics and evidence-based policy support, especially for eastern India. “Discussions are in progress for AIIMS Bhubaneswar to start advanced TB testing in two Odisha districts on a pilot basis, to generate evidence for possible wider rollout,” he said.
