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35.5% of children under five years are stunted (low financial incentives for TB patients registered on
height for age), 32.1% are underweight and 3% are the Nikshay portal. PM TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan
overweight showing the prevalence of poverty and launched for additional patient support, augment
malnutrition in India. community involvement, and leverage Corporate Social
Fourth, Co-morbidities. The disease’s prognosis in Responsibility (CSR) activities. TB Mukt Panchayat
patients with diabetes, HIV, Smoking, and Chronic initiative for empowering panchayati raj institutions to
Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is even poorer. understand TB issues and take necessary actions.
These co-morbidities increase respiratory infections, The major findings of the India Tuberculosis Report
increase complications, decrease recovery potential, 2024 by the Health Ministry said that notified TB
and increase disease morbidity and mortality. In a study patients were 25.52 lakhs in 2023(an increase from
in Chennai in 2012, it was found that the prevalence of 24.22 lakh cases in 2022), 67% reporting of cases
Diabetes in TB patients was around 25%, showing the done by the public sector and 33% from the private
strong affinity of both. sector, the treatment success rate among notified drug
resistant TB is 65%. Talking of achievements, the target
Fifth, High Treatment costs. The government provides of initiating treatment in 95% of patients diagnosed
free TB treatment, but poor accessibility compels one with the infection was achieved in 2023, the Decline of
to resort to the private sector for treatment. The cost incidence of TB was 16% in comparison to 2015, the
varies from 25,000 to Reduction in mortality
30,000 rupees and can go was 18% in comparison
even higher in cases of to 2015, and Increase in
Drug-resistant TB where proportion of notified TB
basic TB medicines fail. patients receiving financial
WHO says, India has the support through Direct
highest incidence burden Benefit Transfer (DBT)
of MDR (multi-drug was 70% (as against a
resistance) TB in the world target of 90% by 2023).
causing patients and their The nation is working
families to suffer financially towards TB-free India but
too. there are further steps
that need to be taken like
Sixth, High drop-out rates. enabling early detection
The inability to complete by ramping up health
the full TB treatment infrastructure, precise
course due to migration, treatment categorization
absence of regular follow such as resistant status at
up and poor compliance by the patient prevent the the beginning of treatment, ensuring regular follow-up,
cure of the disease and only promote severe relapse of strengthening nutritional support to patients, dynamic
the disease. Notification system for improved notification system
After knowing the challenges, it is also important to capture real-time TB data, decentralization of TB
to know what the government is doing to control service delivery to the level of ‘ Ayushman Arogya
tuberculosis. The National Tuberculosis Elimination Mandirs’, Increase investment in TB (every dollar spent
Programme (NTEP) aims to reduce the TB burden by on screening of TB , there is the potential benefit of
2025, five years ahead of the global target of 2030 $39- WHO).
(to reduce TB incidence by 80%, TB deaths by 90%,
and reduce TB affected families facing catastrophic Hence the path to TB elimination in India requires a
costs). ‘TB Haarega Desh Jeetega’ campaign to concerted effort to prioritize individual centeric care,
promote awareness about the disease. Nikshay (Ni address social determinants of health, and embrace
= end, Kshay= TB) portal has been launched by innovation. By adopting a holistic approach, India
the government to keep track of patients. Nikshay can overcome the barriers that stand in the way of TB
Poshan Abhiyaan has been launched to provide control and create a healthier future for all its citizens.

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