Page 61 - Sanidhya 2024

Tuberculosis: A National Menace

Every year, March 24th is celebrated as World TB Day blood), breathlessness or
to commemorate the discovery of Mycobacterium shortness of breath, loss of
tuberculosis (the bacteria that causes tuberculosis) appetite, weight loss, and night
by Dr. Robert Koch in 1882. When we think of TB, we sweats. If someone has some or
usually think of a respiratory disease affecting the lungs any of the symptoms which are
which is the most common presentation but it does exaggerated with time one needs
not limit itself to just the lungs, it has the potential to to consult a doctor immediately.
affect every part and organ of the body from the Brain If left untreated, TB can cause
to the Bone except Hair and Nails. The global burden lung fibrosis, respiratory failure, Dr. Shikhar Prasad
S/o Kishor Prasad,
of TB and its imprint on India is a huge challenge. The spread to other organs, and DIG, Range, New Delhi
impact on India is more concerning given the fact hindering their functions.
that our country already carries a myriad of health The challenges in eradicating TB in India-
disorders ranging from Dengue to Malaria
to Hypertension and Diabetes when First is the social stigma with the
coupled with TB it becomes a double- disease, which leads to people taking
edged sword. the disease lightly which leads to
delayed diagnosis, causing more
According to the latest reports disease morbidity and mortality
from the WHO (World Health in addition to the spread of
Organization) every day, 3500 infection to others. Social
people worldwide lose their stigma also causes social
lives to TB, and around exclusion of patients leading
30,000 become affected by to underreporting of cases
the bacteria. India alone giving rise to the Tip of
accounts for 27% of the Iceberg phenomenon.
global TB cases, this is
very concerning, given the Second, the major
fact that TB is a detectable challenge is poor healthcare
and curable, disease and and infrastructure. Though
treatment regimes have been we are upgrading and
part of the existing health systems expanding our health system to
for a long time. In India, this disease is largely affecting reach last mile connectivity, still
poor and vulnerable populations. The India TB Report there are miles to go given that we have a
2024, published by the Ministry of Health & Family huge population cater to. As per the State of
Welfare, reveals that nearly 7.44 lakh TB patients were Healthcare in Rural India 2024 report, only 39% have
undernourished in 2022. Additionally, individuals living access to diagnostic facilities within commutable
with HIV face a 20 times higher risk of developing TB distance and 90%
compared to the general population. To summarize we of people do not undergo routine
can definitely say that India is a global TB hotspot. health checkups unless recommended by a doctor.

Tuberculosis (TB) is primarily transmitted through Third, Poverty and Malnutrition. The Multidimensional
the inhalation route, with the source of infection Poverty Index (MPI), which evaluates poverty based on
being an active, open case of TB that can spread the three key dimensions—Education, Health, and Living
bacteria to a susceptible individual. The way can be Standards—indicates that 16.4% of India’s population
through coughing, sneezing, etc. The disease can be is considered multidimensionally poor. The State of
asymptomatic but generally presents with symptoms Food Security and Nutrition in World Report 2023 says
such as fever (particularly in the evening), weakness, around 74% of India’s population could not afford a
prolonged cough (more than 2 weeks with or without healthy diet. As per the National Family Health Survey,

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