Tuberculosis incidence falling in India by 21% a year: WHO report, Pg14

Key Highlights:

• India's TB incidence fell by 21% from 2015 to 2024, from 237 to 187 cases per lakh population.
• Treatment coverage surged to over 92% in 2024 from 53% in 2015, with 26.18 lakh TB patients diagnosed in 2024.
• The number of "missing cases" decreased from an estimated 15 lakh in 2015 to less than one lakh in 2024.
• The TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan screened over 19 crore vulnerable individuals, detecting over 24.5 lakh TB patients.
• India's TB mortality rate decreased from 28 to 21 per lakh population between 2015 and 2024.

Detailed Insights:

• India's decline in TB incidence is almost double the global rate of 12%, showcasing significant progress compared to other high-burden countries.
• The increase in treatment coverage is attributed to innovative case finding, newer technologies, decentralization, and community mobilization.
• The TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan, launched in December 2024, has identified 8.61 lakh asymptomatic TB cases, contributing to early detection and treatment.
• India has maintained a stable number of multidrug-resistant (MDR) TB patients and achieved a 90% treatment success rate, surpassing the global rate of 88%.
• These improvements align with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3, which focuses on ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all ages, including combating TB.

Key Concepts Involved:

• TB Incidence: The number of new tuberculosis cases emerging in a population per year.
• Treatment Coverage: The proportion of TB patients who are diagnosed and receive appropriate treatment.
• Multidrug-Resistant (MDR) TB: A form of TB that is resistant to at least two of the most powerful anti-TB drugs.
• TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan: India's flagship mission to eliminate tuberculosis by raising awareness and providing screening.