Another Step Against TB (GS Paper 2, Health)
Context:
- India has made significant strides in its battle against tuberculosis (TB), pioneering innovative approaches to prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.
- These efforts have helped shift the paradigm and bring the country closer to its goal of TB elimination.
Key Achievements in TB Elimination:
- According to the WHO’s Global TB Report 2024, India has made remarkable progress in reducing the incidence of TB, with a 17.7% decline in TB cases from 2015 to 2023, which is double the global rate of decline.
- In addition, India has successfully diagnosed 25.1 lakh TB patients, leading to a substantial increase in treatment coverage from 59% in 2015 to 85% in 2023.
100-Day Campaign:
- On December 7, 2024, the Indian government launched a 100-day campaign aimed at accelerating the response to TB across 347 high TB burden districts.
- The initiative focuses on identifying every TB patient early and ensuring they receive timely and quality treatment.
- It also emphasizes reaching out to vulnerable populations and ensuring that the efforts are not limited to government agencies but involve elected representatives, healthcare workers, civil society, and communities.
- This collective approach, known as Jan Bhagidari, plays a crucial role in the success of the campaign.
Nikshay Poshan Yojana (NPY):
- Launched in April 2018, the Nikshay Poshan Yojana (NPY) is a nutritional support program designed to aid in the recovery of TB patients.
- Under this initiative, the government has distributed Rs 3,295 crore to 1.16 crore beneficiaries through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
- As of November 2024, the government has doubled the monthly support amount from Rs 500 to Rs 1,000, providing further assistance to TB patients for better recovery.
Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (PMTBMBA):
- The Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (PMTBMBA) has been instrumental in tackling TB-related nutritional challenges while enhancing community mobilization.
- By involving community stakeholders, the initiative has successfully raised awareness and provided nutritional, vocational, and psychological support to TB patients.
- The program has mobilized over 1.75 lakh Nikshay Mitras, who have contributed to delivering 21 lakh food baskets to TB patients across India.
- This mass movement under the Jan Bhagidari spirit underscores the power of community involvement in addressing public health challenges.
Introduction of New Drugs and Diagnostics:
India has also made notable advancements in treatment regimens and diagnostics:
- New drugs: India has introduced Bedaquiline and Delamanid, which improve treatment outcomes for TB patients. The introduction of BPaLM (a shorter, more effective treatment regimen) allows patients with drug-resistant TB to complete treatment in just six months, compared to the conventional regimen that takes 19–20 months.
- Molecular Diagnostics: India has significantly expanded its diagnostic capabilities, with over 8,293 molecular diagnostic machines now available across districts. The Make in India initiative has enabled the development and field-testing of indigenous molecular tests, which have been endorsed by the WHO. These advancements have made India a global leader in TB diagnosis and treatment.
Conclusion and Future Outlook:
- India’s progress in TB elimination demonstrates the country’s leadership in global health efforts.
- From pioneering research in diagnostics and treatments to providing social support systems for patients, India stands at the forefront of the global fight against TB.
- As the 100-day campaign continues, the focus is on collaborative action—engaging communities, healthcare workers, and civil society to enhance early detection, timely treatment, and prevention of TB.
- By leveraging advancements in treatment and diagnostics and with the support of programs like Nikshay Poshan Yojana and PMTBMBA, India is on track to make a significant impact in the global battle against tuberculosis.
- India’s collective commitment to eliminating TB is stronger than ever, and the need for Jan Bhagidari in the fight against TB has never been more crucial.
