Implementation Reflections of a Nodal Officer on Active Case Finding for Tuberculosis under the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme in Puducherry, India

Abstract

This article describes the experiences of a nodal officer in leading an Active Case Finding (ACF) campaign for

tuberculosis (TB) as part of India’s National Tuberculosis Elimination Program (NTEP). The campaign, conducted

across several Primary Health Centres (PHCs) in "Puducherry", focused on early detection of TB in high-risk

communities. A team of ASHA workers, Anganwadi workers, and interns carried out door-to-door screenings. Data

was gathered using EpiCollect5, which facilitated real-time updates and precise, accurate reporting.Although there

were challenges with logistics and some resistance from the community, the campaign demonstrated how

important community engagement and cultural understanding are for practical public health work. This report

details the operational aspects of ACF and proposes improvements for future campaigns.