New Delhi, March 24 (IANS): The ministry of health and family welfare on Tuesday launched a nationwide awareness campaign against the rising number of tuberculosis (TB) cases in the country.

The campaign - TB Harega, Desh Jitega - features acting legend Amitabh Bachchan as the face and voice of TB prevention and control.

As per research statistics, nearly 1.5 million deaths occur globally every year due to tuberculosis, mostly in developing countries.

The campaign was launched during the release of government's Central TB Division's (CTD) annual status report "TB India 2015".

The report states that since the inception of the Revised National TB Control Programme (RNTCP), around 19 million patients have undergone treatment and almost 3.4 million lives have been saved.

The challenges of drug resistant TB, TB associated with HIV and other co-morbidities are being addressed appropriately.

On the occasion, Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda said: "It is heartening to see that individuals and organisations from across the spectrum have come together to present a united front against TB. By striving for a 'Swachh Bharat' and a 'Swasth Bharat' we aim to make a 'TB-Mukt Bharat'."

"TB is arguably the greatest public health challenge facing our country today. If we have to combat this disease, we need to develop strategic vision, enhance our political will, learn to innovate and find indigenous solutions, increase cooperation and coordination between diverse stakeholders," Dalbir Singh, president of national forum on TB, said.