India TB Report 2024: 16% Decrease in TB Cases

Declining Tuberculosis Incidence in India

India has made significant progress in its fight against tuberculosis (TB), with the country witnessing a 16% decline in TB incidence from 2015 to 2022, surpassing the global decline of 9%. This remarkable achievement is highlighted in the National TB Elimination Programme, India TB Report 2024, which provides a comprehensive overview of the nation's efforts to combat this deadly disease.

According to the report, India notified 25.55 lakh cases of TB in 2023, the highest since the launch of the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP) in the 1960s. This milestone underscores the country's commitment to early detection and treatment, which are crucial in curbing the spread of TB.

State-wise Notifications and Private Sector Involvement

The report reveals that Uttar Pradesh recorded the highest number of TB case notifications compared to the previous year, followed closely by Bihar. This highlights the need for targeted interventions and resource allocation in these states to address the burden of TB effectively.

Notably, the private sector played a pivotal role in the fight against TB, with over 8.4 lakh cases being reported from private healthcare facilities in 2023, marking a 1.17% increase from the previous year and a significant rise since 2017. This collaboration between the public and private sectors is crucial in ensuring comprehensive access to TB diagnosis and treatment services across the country.

Treatment Coverage, Mortality, and Achievements

India's treatment coverage for TB improved significantly, reaching 80% of the estimated cases in 2023, representing a 19% increase over the previous year. This remarkable progress reflects the country's dedication to providing accessible and effective treatment options to those affected by the disease.

Furthermore, the report stated that TB mortality in India stood at 23 per lakh population, an 18% decline compared to 2015 when it was 28 per lakh population. This reduction in mortality rates is a testament to the effectiveness of the nation's TB control strategies and the collective efforts of healthcare professionals and stakeholders.

Among the notable achievements, India achieved a case notification rate of approximately 179 cases per lakh population in 2023, narrowing the coverage gap to 0.2 million. Additionally, the NTEP diagnosed 63,939 cases of multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB), highlighting its commitment to addressing the challenge of drug resistance.

Active Case-Finding and TB-HIV

Co-infection In 2023, more than 20.5 crore individuals were screened for signs and symptoms suggestive of TB as part of active case-finding efforts. This proactive approach has been instrumental in identifying and treating TB cases early, thereby curbing the spread of the disease.

The report also shed light on the burden of TB-HIV co-infection, a significant public health challenge in India. In 2023, the total number of TB-HIV co-infected cases stood at 34,476, of which 94% and 95% were started on antiretroviral therapy (ART) and Co-trimoxazole Prophylaxis Therapy (CPT) drugs, respectively. This underscores the importance of integrating TB and HIV services to ensure comprehensive care for co-infected individuals.

India's Efforts and Goals for TB Elimination

India has set an ambitious goal of eliminating TB by 2025, five years ahead of the global Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target of 2030. To achieve this, the country has implemented various strategies and interventions under the National Strategic Plan (NSP) for TB Elimination 2017-2025.

Key efforts include the DOTS (Directly Observed Treatment, Short-course) strategy, which ensures proper diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring of TB patients, as well as the provision of free diagnosis and treatment through the public health system. Additionally, the Nikshay web-based platform facilitates case-based monitoring and management of TB patients, ensuring adherence to treatment and follow-up.

Furthermore, India has made strides in addressing risk factors that contribute to TB infection and poor treatment outcomes. This includes addressing undernourishment, HIV, diabetes, alcohol use, and smoking. The government provides monthly support of Rs 500 to undernourished TB patients, while the Ni-kshay Mitra programme encourages food basket donations.

Despite these efforts, India remains among the eight countries accounting for more than two-thirds (68.3%) of the total TB patients' count, as reported by the World Health Organization (WHO). Continued commitment, collaboration, and targeted interventions are crucial to achieving the goal of TB elimination in India by 2025.