GLOBAL TB REPORT 2024: INDIA PERFORMS
- The World Health Organization (WHO) released its Global Tuberculosis (TB) Report 2024 on October 29, 2024.
- The report has highlighted India’s remarkable progress in fighting Tuberculosis (TB), particularly in closing the gap of missed TB cases since 2015.
- The efforts made by India have been acknowledged globally, as the country has made significant steps in improving TB diagnosis, treatment coverage, and reducing both the incidence and mortality of TB.
WHAT IS TUBERCULOSIS?
Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium Tuberculosis. The bacteria usually attack the lungs, but TB bacteria can attack any part of the body such as the kidney, spine, and brain. Not everyone infected with TB bacteria becomes sick.
HOW IS TB SPREAD?
INDIA’S PROGRESS
Improved Treatment Coverage
- In 2023, India reported an estimated 27 lakh TB cases.
- Of these, 25.1 lakh people were diagnosed and began treatment.
- This has helped increase India’s treatment coverage to 89% in 2023, up from 72% in 2015.
- India’s progress in case detection and treatment coverage has been one of the fastest globally, bridging the gap of missed TB cases and significantly improving outcomes for TB patients.
Decline in TB Incidence
- India achieved a 17.7% decline in TB incidence, from 237 per lakh population in 2015 to 195 per lakh in 2023.
- This is more than double the global decline of 8.3% over the same period.
Reduction in TB Mortality
- India’s efforts have resulted in a 21.4% reduction in TB-related deaths, from 28 per lakh population in 2015 to 22 per lakh in 2023.
- This is consistent with the country’s sustained efforts to improve TB care and treatment across the country.
KEY CONTRIBUTIONS
- Increased Funding and Government Support
- The Indian government has increased the budget for TB control from 640 crores in 2015 to Rs. 3,400 crores in 2022-23, representing a 5.3-fold increase in funding.
- This financial boost has helped strengthen the National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP), which now benefits from sustained domestic financing.
- Enhanced Diagnostic and Treatment Infrastructure
- India has scaled up its diagnostic capabilities, including the use of molecular diagnostic tools and AI-enabled portable chest X-ray machines.
- India now has the world’s largest TB laboratory network, with over 7,767 rapid molecular testing facilities and 87 culture and drug susceptibility testing labs.
- Private Sector Participation
- The private sector contributed to 32.9% of the total TB cases reported in 2023, reflecting the growing involvement of private healthcare providers in TB care.
- Despite this, India has maintained a high treatment success rate of 87.6% in 2024 (January-September).
NEW INITIATIVES TO TACKLE TB
Ni-Kshay Poshan Yojana (NPY) Enhancement
- In October 2024, the government announced an increase in the Ni-Kshay Poshan Yojana (NPY) support for TB patients, raising the amount from 500 per month per patient to Rs. 1,000 per month for the entire duration of treatment.
- The NPY has already disbursed 3,202 crores to 1.13 crore beneficiaries through Direct Benefit Transfer.
- The increased financial support will benefit 25 lakh TB patients annually and introduce Energy Dense Nutritional Supplementation (EDNS) for around 12 lakh undernourished TB patients.
Ni-Kshay Mitra and Nutritional Support
- The government expanded nutritional support under the Ni-Kshay Mitra initiative, which now provides food baskets to household contacts of TB patients.
- This aims to improve the immunity of family members and reduce the economic burden on TB patients.
New TB Treatment Regimen for MDR-TB
- In September 2024, the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare approved the introduction of a novel regimen for Multi-Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis (MDR-TB) called BPaLM.
- This treatment is shorter and more effective compared to older regimens, significantly improving the chances of recovery for MDR-TB patients.
KEY FACTS ABOUT TB
- Notification and Treatment Success
- As of September 2024, India has notified 19.88 lakh TB cases, a 4.2% increase from 19.08 lakh cases in the same period in 2023.
- The private sector contributed to 7.22 lakh notifications, an increase from 6.99 lakh in 2023.
- India has achieved a treatment success rate of 87.6% in 2024, reflecting the effectiveness of its TB care program.
- Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan (PMTBMBA)
- 54,448 new Ni-Kshay Mitras have been registered under the PMTBMBA as of October 2024, and 8.3 lakh food baskets have been distributed to support TB patients.
- TB Preventive Treatment (TPT) has been administered to 12.23 lakh beneficiaries in the first three quarters of 2024.
- Adult BCG Vaccination Study
- In January 2024, India started an adult BCG vaccination study in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).
- By October 2024, over 81.4 lakh doses of the BCG vaccine had been administered in 14 states/UTs as part of a trial to explore broader TB prevention strategies.
ABOUT PM TB MUKT BHARAT ABHIYAN (PMTBMBA)
Mission Start Date: September, 2022.
- The Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan has been envisioned to bring together all community stakeholders to support those on TB treatment and accelerate the country’s progress towards TB elimination.
- According to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, all nations have set the goal of eradicating TB by the year 2030. But the Government of India has set the target of eradicating TB by the year 2025.
- TB causes the largest number of deaths among all other infectious diseases in India. India has a little less than 20 percent of the world’s population, but has more than 27 percent of the total TB patients of the world.
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