India needs comprehensive efforts to improve tuberculosis patient care

Source: The post India needs comprehensive efforts to improve tuberculosis patient care has been created, based on the article “The need for universal and equitable health coverage” published in “The Hindu” on 24th March 2025

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper2- Governance- Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health.

Context: The article addresses Tuberculosis (TB) care in India, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive approach to diagnosis, treatment, and community support. It discusses the critical gaps in the current system and underscores the importance of coordinated efforts across sectors to improve outcomes for TB patients and ultimately aim to eradicate the disease.

For detailed information on India’s approach to end TB read this article here

Issues faced in TB care in India

1. Challenges in TB Diagnosis and Treatment: Many patients experience delays in diagnosis due to lack of awareness or doctors not recommending TB tests. Medicines may be in short supply, forcing patients to travel over 20 kilometres to get them. Side effects from treatment, financial burden of private care, and lack of treatment literacy often lead to dropouts.
2. The Social and Psychological Impact: TB patients often face stigma, isolation, and self-blame. Families may refuse preventive therapy or blame the patient. Neighbours may shun them. Malnutrition, old age, or disability worsens their condition. Such social pressures can damage mental health and weaken recovery.
3. Systemic Gaps and Apathy: TB is wrongly seen as a disease of the poor, leading to limited concern. There are too few trained health workers, and the private sector often provides inconsistent care. This results in poor coordination and weak public response.

What Needs to Be Done

1. Strengthen Public Health Infrastructure: Ensure a continuous supply of medicines and diagnostic tools. Train and fairly compensate healthcare workers to manage TB efficiently and compassionately.
2. Empower Patients and Communities: Engage TB survivors to lead awareness and advocacy efforts, helping reduce stigma and disseminate correct information. Develop community-led support systems to provide psychosocial aid and ensure patient adherence to treatment regimes.
3. Enhance Prevention and Care: Improve airborne infection control measures and nutritional support programs to prevent TB. Introduce an effective TB vaccine accessible to all demographics.
4. Foster Multisectoral Collaboration: Integrate TB care into social and private insurance frameworks. Increase corporate social responsibility (CSR) investments in TB initiatives. Encourage media and political leaders to actively participate in TB eradication efforts. Establish sustainable public-private partnerships to extend high-quality care.

Way Forward

India’s National Strategic Plan includes many of these measures, but partial implementation is insufficient. Ending TB requires coordinated action across all levels—health, community, government, and private sectors. Every actor must contribute actively to build a resilient, inclusive, and responsive TB care ecosystem.

Question for practice:

Discuss the key issues in tuberculosis care in India and suggest essential steps to build a comprehensive, responsive TB care ecosystem.