LUCKNOW, Nov. 2 -- The Uttar Pradesh health department is planning to expand tuberculosis (TB) screening among children under five years of age. The move follows the detection of over 19,000 TB-positive cases among children during a special screening drive conducted across 26 districts. Between January and October 25, a total of 19,232 children were diagnosed with TB in the state.

"We are now planning to extend the screening programme across the state," said state TB officer Dr Shailendra Bhatnagar. The special drive was conducted by ASHA, ANM and other health staff.

The screening was carried out in districts including Lucknow, Aligarh, Agra, Ayodhya, Bahraich, Ballia, Basti, Balrampur, Bareilly, Bulandshahr, Fatehpur, Gautam Buddha Nag...