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Source-This post on the Decline in TB cases in India is based on the article “India achieves 16% decline in new TB cases, 18% reduction in mortality since 2015: report” published in “The Hindu” on 28th March 2024.
Why in the News?
Recently, the Union Health Ministry released the India TB report 2024.
Findings of the report
1) Since 2015, there has been a decline of 16% in TB incidence (new cases emerging each year) and an 18% reduction in mortality due to TB.
2) The incidence rate in India has fallen from 237 per lakh population in 2015 to 199 per lakh population in 2022, while the mortality rate has declined from 28 per lakh population in 2015 to 23 per lakh population in 2022.
3) Nearly 32% of TB notifications in 2023 came from the private health care sector, which is an increase of 17% from the previous year.
4) While the overall notification of TB cases has improved by over 50% in the last nine years on an annual basis, Uttar Pradesh saw the highest jump in notifications (by 21% compared to the previous year) followed by Bihar (15%).
About Tuberculosis
1) Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease that most often affects the lungs and is caused by a Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacterium.
About National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP)
1. The National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP) is a public health initiative started in 2020 by the Government of India.
2. It was formerly known as the Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP).
2. Mission: Its mission is to organize anti-Tuberculosis efforts across the country.
3. Vision: Achieving a “TB free India” through strategies focused on prevention, detection, treatment, and universal coverage.
4. Components:
a) Ni-kshay Mitra Initiative provides additional diagnostic, nutritional, and vocational support to TB patients.
b) Ni-kshay Digital Portal is a platform for community support for persons with TB.
5. Through the Nikshay Poshan Yojana, nutritional support is extended to all TB patients during their entire treatment duration.
6. Provision of chemoprophylaxis against TB disease for pediatric contacts of TB patients and people living with HIV (PLHIV).
Read more: Eliminating tuberculosis (TB) in India by 2025
UPSC Syllabus: Social Justice – Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health
