{"id":324525,"date":"2025-01-24T18:01:51","date_gmt":"2025-01-24T12:31:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/?p=324525"},"modified":"2025-01-25T19:10:55","modified_gmt":"2025-01-25T13:40:55","slug":"indias-approach-to-end-tb","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/indias-approach-to-end-tb\/","title":{"rendered":"India\u2019s approach to end TB"},"content":{"rendered":"

Source: <\/strong>This post on India\u2019s approach to end TB <\/strong>has been created based on article \u201c <\/strong>India\u2019s winding road to \u2018#EndTB\u2019\u201d<\/strong><\/a> published in The Hindu on 24th<\/sup> January 2025.<\/p>\n

\"India\u2019s<\/p>\n

UPSC Syllabus topic: <\/strong>GS Paper 2- Issues Relating to Development and Management of Social Sector\/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.<\/p>\n

Context: <\/strong>This article delves into India’s ongoing battle against tuberculosis (TB) and its efforts to achieve the ambitious ‘End TB’ targets by 2025. Despite TB being a curable disease, it remains the leading infectious killer globally, with India contributing 26% of the global TB burden. The COVID-19 pandemic significantly hindered India’s progress toward its TB elimination goals, set ahead of the global 2030 target.<\/p>\n

Why is TB a global concern, and what are the End TB targets?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
    \n
  1. TB remains the leading infectious disease killer globally.<\/li>\n
  2. End TB targets aim for a 90% reduction in TB deaths<\/strong>, an 80% reduction in new cases<\/strong>, and zero catastrophic costs<\/strong> for TB-affected families by 2030.<\/li>\n
  3. India pledged to achieve these targets by 2025 but faces setbacks due to the COVID-19 pandemic.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    What is India\u2019s current status in TB burden and drug-resistant TB?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
      \n
    1. According to the Global Tuberculosis Report 2024<\/strong>, India:\n
        \n
      1. Accounts for 26% of global TB cases<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
      2. Is a hub for drug-resistant TB (DR-TB)<\/strong> and TB-related deaths.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n
      3. Ground realities need better understanding to make national policies effective.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        Who are the vulnerable groups affected by TB in India?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
          \n
        1. High-risk groups include:\n
            \n
          1. People exposed to dust (e.g., miners, stone carvers)<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
          2. Those suffering from undernutrition<\/strong>, overcrowding<\/strong>, and diabetes<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
          3. Migrant workers<\/strong> who lack access to consistent healthcare.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n
          4. Contributory factors like silicosis<\/strong> and poor living conditions exacerbate TB risk.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

            How effective is India\u2019s treatment system for TB?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
              \n
            1. India\u2019s National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP) ensures free and effective drugs<\/strong>, achieving 95% treatment initiation<\/strong> for notified cases.<\/li>\n
            2. However, in 2023<\/strong>, supply chain disruptions caused:\n
                \n
              1. Drug shortages, forcing patients to buy medicines from private sources.<\/li>\n
              2. Higher risk of antibiotic resistance<\/strong> and catastrophic health expenses<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                What is extrapulmonary TB, and why is it often neglected?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
                  \n
                1. Extrapulmonary TB (EP-TB)<\/strong> affects organs other than the lungs, such as the lymph nodes, kidneys, brain, and bones<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
                2. EP-TB constitutes 24% of notified TB cases<\/strong>, but:\n
                    \n
                  1. Symptoms are often vague<\/strong> and mimic other diseases.<\/li>\n
                  2. There is a lack of focus on EP-TB in NTEP\u2019s screening algorithms.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n
                  3. Experts emphasize training general practitioners and frontline workers to improve early diagnosis<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                    What challenges exist in diagnosing TB?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
                      \n
                    1. Studies show:\n
                        \n
                      1. Only 35% of private practitioners<\/strong> and 75% of government doctors<\/strong> can correctly diagnose classical TB symptoms.<\/li>\n
                      2. Molecular tests (e.g., CBNAAT, Truenat)<\/strong> are available mostly at the district level<\/strong>, causing delays and extra costs.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n
                      3. Key challenges include:\n
                          \n
                        1. A shortage of trained human resources<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
                        2. Dependence on specialists<\/strong> for diagnosis.<\/li>\n
                        3. Reluctance among private practitioners to notify TB cases<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                          What successful initiatives can India learn from?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
                            \n
                          1. Idukki district, Kerala<\/strong>:\n
                              \n
                            1. Partnered with Kudumbashree<\/strong> women\u2019s self-help groups to achieve TB elimination targets through community participation<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n
                            2. Vietnam<\/strong>: Demonstrated the effectiveness of active case finding<\/strong> among high-risk populations for better-targeted interventions.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                              What are the key takeaways for India\u2019s fight against TB?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
                                \n
                              1. Multisectoral action<\/strong> is needed to address region-specific challenges.<\/li>\n
                              2. Strengthening the supply chain<\/strong> is crucial to prevent treatment disruptions.<\/li>\n
                              3. Advocacy by political leaders<\/strong> and active community involvement can drive progress.<\/li>\n
                              4. Restructuring conventional frameworks and adopting best practices<\/strong> from other countries is essential.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                                Is there any progress toward achieving the End TB goals?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

                                Despite challenges, there is hope:<\/p>\n