World Tuberculosis Day: India's endless war against TB

Every year, March 24 is observed as World Tuberculosis Day — a solemn reminder of the ongoing global fight against one of the world’s deadliest infectious diseases. The date marks the discovery of Mycobacterium tuberculosis by Dr. Robert Koch in 1882, a breakthrough that paved the way for diagnosis and treatment. But over 140 years later, India remains locked in a relentless battle with TB, a disease that continues to claim thousands of lives annually despite being both preventable and curable.

India and the TB Burden

India bears the highest burden of tuberculosis in the world. According to the World Health Organization’s Global TB Report 2023, India accounted for over 28% of global TB cases in 2022. While the country has made significant strides in recent decades, the road ahead remains long and fraught with challenges.

In India, TB is more than a health issue; it is a social and economic crisis. It disproportionately affects the poor and marginalized, thrives in crowded living conditions, and is often exacerbated by malnutrition, lack of awareness, and delayed diagnosis. Multi-drug resistant TB (MDR-TB) further complicates the crisis, requiring longer and more expensive treatments with severe side effects.

Government Action and the National TB Elimination Program

Recognizing the gravity of the situation, the Indian government launched the National Strategic Plan (NSP) for TB Elimination 2017–2025, setting an ambitious goal of eliminating TB by 2025 — five years ahead of the global target set by the WHO. Under this plan, the National TB Elimination Program (NTEP) aims to provide free diagnosis and treatment, support nutritional needs through schemes like Nikshay Poshan Yojana, and strengthen surveillance and digital tracking of TB patients.

Innovative technologies like TruNat machines for rapid diagnosis and mobile TB vans have been deployed to improve early detection, especially in rural and remote areas. The government has also partnered with private healthcare providers, NGOs, and international agencies to expand the reach and efficiency of its TB initiatives.

The Impact of COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic posed an unexpected and severe setback to TB control efforts. During the peak of the pandemic, testing and diagnosis rates plummeted, patients missed treatments, and health resources were diverted. As a result, TB-related deaths rose globally for the first time in over a decade. India, too, saw a resurgence of cases due to treatment interruptions and delayed diagnoses.

The Way Forward

As India continues its fight against TB, certain priorities must be emphasized:

• Strengthening community-based interventions to identify and treat TB at the grassroots level.

• Ensuring uninterrupted supply of medicines and access to diagnostics, especially in underserved regions.

• Combating stigma and misinformation through education and public awareness campaigns.

• Boosting nutrition and immunity through targeted welfare schemes.

• Investing in research and innovation, including vaccines and shorter drug regimens.

Conclusion

World Tuberculosis Day is more than a calendar date — it’s a wake-up call. India’s war against TB is not unwinnable, but it demands consistent political will, collaborative public health efforts, and community engagement. To eliminate TB by 2025, every citizen, healthcare worker, policymaker, and institution must contribute to turning this vision into reality. Because until TB is eradicated everywhere, it remains a threat everywhere.