India’s Progress in TB Control Noted in WHO Global Report

India's Progress in TB Control Noted in WHO Global Report

VoM News Desk | November 8, 2023 | 10:52 PM IST | Health | Follow on Google News

India’s Progress in TB Control Noted in WHO Global Report

India’s Progress in TB Control Noted in WHO Global Report

The World Health Organization’s Global TB Report 2023 highlighted India’s significant advancements in tuberculosis (TB) management, as acknowledged by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. India has improved TB case detection and has bounced back from the adverse effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on its TB program. Treatment coverage in the country has now reached 80% of the estimated TB cases, marking an increase of 19% from the previous year. This progress has contributed to a 16% reduction in TB incidence in India in 2022 compared to 2015, a rate of decline almost twice as fast as the global average.

Reduction in TB Mortality and Intensive Data Review

The WHO report also notes a substantial reduction in TB mortality in India, with the death rate dropping by more than a third from the previous year’s estimate. This adjustment follows extensive collaboration between WHO and India’s health ministry, with over 50 meetings held to finalize the data. India’s data from the Ni-kshay portal, which records the treatment lifecycle of TB patients, played a crucial role in this revised assessment. The WHO team’s thorough data review led to an appreciation of India’s efforts in battling TB.

Case Detection Success and Government Initiatives

India’s intensified strategies for TB case detection resulted in the highest-ever number of notified cases in 2022, with over 24.22 lakh cases surpassing pre-pandemic levels. Government initiatives, such as active case finding drives, expansion of molecular diagnostics, and engagement with the private sector, have significantly closed the gap in missing cases. The Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan has seen over 1 lakh Ni-kshay Mitras adopt more than 11 lakh TB patients, showcasing widespread national support for the cause.

Financial Support and Patient-Centric Initiatives

Financially, the Ni-kshay Poshan Yojana has disbursed approximately Rs 2613 crore to over 95 lakh TB patients since its inception in 2018. India has also introduced new patient-centric models to ensure further decreases in mortality and increases in treatment success rates. The country’s dedication to TB elimination is evident through the additional resources allocated to the National TB Elimination Programme under the National Health Mission.

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