India’s Fight Against Tuberculosis

India has made significant strides in TB control:

· New TB cases ↓ by 21% (2015–2024)

· TB mortality ↓ by 25%

However, as per the World TB Report 2025, India still accounts for ~25% of the global TB burden, highlighting the scale of the challenge.

· Caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis

· Airborne disease → spreads via cough, sneeze, close contact

· Primarily affects lungs, but also brain, kidneys, bones

· Preventable, curable, yet socio-economically driven disease

Key Government Initiatives:

· PM TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan → Jan Andolan approach, early detection & stigma reduction

· Nikshay Poshan Yojana → DBT for nutritional support (improves adherence)

· Ni-kshay Mitra → Community participation (nutrition kits, psychosocial support)

· TB-Free Urban Ward Initiative → Scaling rural success models to cities

· BPaLM Regimen → Shorter, effective treatment (~6 months) for drug-resistant TB

· AI-based Screening (DeepCXR) → Early detection, especially in resource-poor areas

· Link with malnutrition, poverty, overcrowding

· Rising Drug-Resistant TB (DR-TB)

· Gaps in awareness & early diagnosis

· Urban slums & migrant populations as hotspots

India’s Commitment:

· Target: TB Elimination by 2025 (ahead of SDG 2030 goal)

· Focus on “Detect–Treat–Prevent–Build” strategy