With the aim of making India tuberculosis (TB) free by 2025, the Uttarakhand government has taken the initiative, to provide free X-rays at government hospitals in the state capital Dehradun to the family members of tuberculosis patients with an aim to limit the transmission of the disease to the close family members. 

Currently, 3473 TB patients have been reported in Dehradun district; 2876 of them are now receiving treatment. 7000 instances were reported in the district in 2021.

Officials stated that the family members of TB patients should undergo routine screenings since TB can spread through the air to persons who live in close proximity to the infected persons. Free OPD and X-ray check-ups will be done at any government centre but only those who present receipts from the government-approved TB treatment facilities are eligible to use this benefit.

Similar directions have also been given in the Haridwar district, but state health officials have not yet clarified whether they apply to the whole of Uttarakhand or not. (ETHealthWorld, June 27, 2022)