FUJIFILM Indian arm to undertake CSR activity for TB eradication in Kutch, Gujarat

Kutch: The Indian arm of a Japanese conglomerate FUJIFILM Holdings announced to conduct Tuberculosis (TB) screening activities under its CSR campaign in Kutch district of Gujarat along with its implementation partner Apollo Telemedicine Network Foundation (ATNF).

The announcement is a part of the company's extension plan as it is already undertaking similar initiatives in Valsad and Banaskantha districts of Gujarat on the lines of national TB elimination campaign, "TB Harega Desh Jeetega," reinforcing the dedication to combatting TB across India.

According to the company, since the inception of the TB screening CSR initiative in Gujarat, FUJIFILM India has screened 8,218 individuals. Their innovative mobile TB diagnostic units, FDR X-Air state-of-the-art portable X-ray machine, with high-quality imaging in a compact and mobile form for TB screening is said to allow for quick and accurate TB screening in the remote regions, and get a comprehensive active case finding project of tuberculosis.

Such initiatives are required to deal with this escalating problem; the latest report from the Health Ministry reveals that with 25.55 lakh TB cases registered last year, marking the highest number since the programme's inception in the 1960s. Despite positive trends, the estimated number of TB cases remains high at 27.8 lakh in 2023. TB-related deaths remained unchanged at 3.2 lakh. These figures underscore the substantial TB burden in India and the need for sustained efforts to reduce both incidence and mortality.