India's Ongoing Battle Against Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis (TB) in India: Summary of Key Findings

1. Current TB Burden and Statistics:

   • In 2024, India reported approximately 2.71 million cases of TB and over 300,000 deaths, positioning it as a leading contributor to global TB cases.
   • Worldwide, TB was responsible for 10.7 million infections and 1.23 million deaths in 2024, making it the deadliest infectious disease.

2. Global TB Report Insights:

   • The Global TB Report 2025 indicates India accounted for 8.8% of the global diagnostic gap, second only to Indonesia (10%).
   • TB incidence in India declined by 21% and TB deaths by 28% from 2015 to 2024, falling short of the End TB strategy targets which aim for 50% reduction in cases and 75% in deaths by 2025.

3. Government Initiatives and Targets:

   • Prime Minister Narendra Modi set a target to eliminate TB by 2025, five years ahead of the global WHO goal.
   • The WHO End TB strategy aims for an 80% decline in new cases and 90% decline in TB deaths by 2030 based on 2015 figures.
   • Treatment coverage improved significantly to 92% in 2024, up from 85% in 2023, primarily due to innovative case-finding and decentralized services.

4. Innovative Treatments and Technologies:

   • Introduction of the BPaL regimen, reducing treatment duration for resistant TB from 18-24 months to 6 months.
   • Use of AI-enabled X-ray devices has enhanced early detection during community screening campaigns.

5. Challenges with Drug Resistance:

   • India contributes nearly 33% of global drug-resistant TB cases, with 12.63% of previously treated and 3.64% of new cases classified as drug-resistant.
   • The TB treatment success rate stood at 90%, above the global average of 88%.

6. Broader Health Context:

   • Interlinked issues like air pollution and diabetes are contributing factors; an estimated 320,000 TB cases in 2024 were linked to diabetes.
   • The COVID-19 pandemic hindered TB management by reallocating healthcare resources.

7. Screening Efforts:

   • A significant active screening campaign has reached over 19 crore vulnerable individuals, resulting in the identification of 24.5 lakh cases including 8.61 lakh asymptomatic cases.

Relevant Constitutional References and Policies:

• The efforts to combat TB align with India’s Constitutional Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSPs), particularly Article 47 which directs the State to improve public health and nutrition.

Summary of Global and National Goals:

• The fight against TB is essential not only for meeting national health targets but also to minimize the global TB burden, necessitating strong intersectoral collaboration among healthcare professionals, regulatory bodies, and community stakeholders.

This analysis underlines the urgency of improving TB management strategies and addressing systemic challenges to align with global health standards and national aspirations for better public health outcomes.