How Can Early and Comprehensive Testing Help Reduce TB Rates?

New Delhi, May 29 (NationPress) Despite the notable strides made in controlling tuberculosis (TB) in India, Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda emphasized on Thursday the necessity for further reductions in both incidence and mortality rates.

During a high-level gathering with Health Ministers from eight states and Union Territories, Nadda highlighted the urgency of enhancing TB control through early and thorough testing, as India aspires to eradicate TB by 2025, which is five years ahead of the global deadline.

"Our national objective is to decrease the TB incidence rate to 47 cases per lakh population and the mortality rate to below 3 per lakh population," he stated.

To meet these ambitious targets, states must re-strategize their TB initiatives and focus on vulnerable and high-risk groups, Nadda added, while also stressing the significance of improving access to rapid diagnostic methods, particularly NAAT testing.

The WHO Global TB Report 2024 indicates that India has achieved a notable 17.7 percent reduction in TB incidence from 2015 to 2023, with deaths declining by 21.4 percent, from 28 per lakh population in 2015 to 22 per lakh population in 2023.

Nonetheless, India recorded 28 lakh TB cases in 2024, representing 26 percent of the world's total TB burden, the highest globally.

The nation also experienced an estimated 3.15 lakh TB-related fatalities, accounting for 29 percent of global deaths.

Nadda praised the states for their active involvement in the 100-day Intensified TB-Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan, during which 12.97 crore individuals were screened for TB, leading to the identification of over 7.19 lakh TB patients across India, including 2.85 lakh asymptomatic cases.

This campaign has now been expanded to cover all districts nationwide.

Nadda called for increased public involvement to foster impactful changes in the TB fight.

He encouraged states and Union Territories to involve elected representatives from Panchayati Raj Institutions and Municipal Corporations in the TB-Mukt Bharat Abhiyan.

At the meeting, which was attended by Health Ministers from Puducherry, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Rajasthan, Punjab, and Jharkhand, Nadda reviewed the progress made in eliminating Measles-Rubella and the utilization of funds under the PM-ABHIM (Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission) and the 15th Finance Commission.

He commended states for their efforts toward the complete elimination of measles-rubella.

However, as some districts across numerous states are still grappling with measles-rubella, he emphasized the need for enhanced immunization to meet elimination goals.

The Union Health Minister underlined the necessity for the health infrastructure under PM-ABHIM and the 15th Finance Commission to be implemented urgently to ensure efficient use of the allocated funds, especially with just one year remaining for their utilization.