The World Health Organization (WHO) released its Global TB Report 2023 on November 7, showcasing India’s strides in tackling tuberculosis (TB) and mitigating the impact of COVID-19 on its TB program. A press release was issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on November 8, 2023.
According to the report, India has significantly enhanced case detection, with treatment coverage reaching 80% of estimated TB cases, reflecting a notable 19% increase compared to the previous year.
India’s efforts have translated into a remarkable 16% reduction in TB incidence in 2022 compared to 2015, nearly double the global rate of decline at 8.7%. Concurrently, the mortality rate for TB has dropped by 18% during the same period, both in India and globally. The WHO has revised downward TB mortality rates from 4.94 lakhs in 2021 to 3.31 lakhs in 2022, marking a substantial reduction of over 34%.
In the Global TB Report 2022, the WHO and the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare published data for India as “Interim,” anticipating further collaboration to finalize figures. Over 50 meetings between the technical teams of the WHO and the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare followed, during which India presented newer evidence, mathematical modeling, and data from the Ni-kshay portal, providing a comprehensive view of the TB patient lifecycle.
The WHO team not only accepted but also appreciated India’s efforts, leading to the publication of revised estimates in the Global TB Report 2023, especially in TB-related mortality figures. The report commends India’s intensified case detection strategies, resulting in the highest-ever notification of cases in 2022, with over 24.22 lakh TB cases notified, surpassing pre-COVID levels.
Key government initiatives, such as active case finding drives, molecular diagnostics scaling, decentralization of screening services through Ayushman Bharat Health & Wellness Centres, and private sector engagement, have substantially closed the gap in missing cases. The Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan has garnered extensive support across the nation, with over 1 lakh Ni-kshay Mitras adopting more than 11 lakh TB patients. The Ni-kshay Poshan Yojana has disbursed approximately Rs 2613 Cr to over 95 lakh TB patients since its launch in 2018.
India’s commitment to TB elimination is evident in the prioritization of resources for the National TB Elimination Programme under the National Health Mission, reflecting the nation’s determination to achieve significant progress in the fight against tuberculosis.
