India, Dec. 4 -- The Maharashtra public health department is struggling to keep pace with the Union health ministry's latest directive asking states to conduct tuberculosis (TB) screening in three shifts - including late evenings and night hours - as the state falls behind the target, senior officials said on Tuesday.

The Centre issued fresh instructions earlier this month as part of an intensified national push with Maharashtra screening only 53% of its target population despite the campaign running for nearly a year.

Health officials said that the round-the-clock screening campaign directive is unrealistic on the ground.

A senior official on condition of anonymity said, "We do not have enough staff, portable X-ray units or consumable...