Syllabus: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.
Global TB Burden (WHO Global TB Report 2025)
- TB remains one of the world’s deadliest infections, causing 12 lakh deaths and affecting 1.07 crore people in 2024.
- 30 high-burden countries account for 87% of global TB cases.
- India contributes the highest share (25%), followed by Indonesia, Philippines, China, Pakistan, and African nations.
India’s Position in 2025
- TB incidence in India declined by 21%, from 237/lakh (2015) to 187/lakh (2024).
- Decline is almost double the global rate, indicating stronger progress than many high-burden nations.
- Treatment coverage reached 92%, the highest among major high-burden countries.
- State Burden: Uttar Pradesh > Maharashtra > Bihar > Madhya Pradesh (absolute cases).
- Delhi records the highest prevalence rate nationally.
Why India Missed the 2025 TB-Free Target
- High Burden of Drug-Resistant TB
- Significant caseload of MDR-TB complicates treatment and prolongs therapy.
- Weak Health Infrastructure
- Rural areas lack diagnostics, trained workforce, and continuous drug supply.
- Reported stockouts of anti-TB drugs forced treatment interruptions (officially denied but widely documented).
- Socio-Economic Barriers
- Malnutrition, poor housing, stigma, and delayed care-seeking fuel transmission.
- Out-of-pocket costs and economic vulnerability hinder adherence.
- Human Resource Constraints
- Shortage of trained staff and high turnover in programme implementation.
- Persistent Stigma
- Social stigma reduces testing, disclosure, and treatment completion.
India’s Interventions to Reduce TB
- Established the world’s largest TB laboratory network with 9,391 rapid molecular testing centres and 107 culture & DST labs.
- Use of AI-enabled handheld chest X-ray units to enhance community screening.
- Expansion through 1.78 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs for decentralised TB care.
- Strengthened nutrition support: Ni-kshay Poshan Yojana DBT increased to ₹1,000/month.
- ASHA workers trained for early detection and patient follow-up.
Global Trends
- TB incidence declined 2%, and deaths fell 3% between 2023–24.
- Funding stagnation remains critical: only $5.9 billion was available against the $22 billion global target.
- 63 diagnostic tests, 29 drugs, and 18 vaccines are under clinical development.