Current Affairs-Topics

India’s Steadfast Journey Towards Tuberculosis Elimination

India’s fight against tuberculosis (TB) began in 1962 with the launch of the National Tuberculosis Program (NTP). Over time, the country has made considerable progress, including the rebranding of the program in 2020 to the National Tuberculosis Elimination Program (NTEP), with the aim of eradicating TB by 2025.

India Leads Global TB Fight, Faces WHO Elimination Challenges

India has been leading the global battle against tuberculosis (TB), implementing various strategies to eradicate the disease. However, despite considerable progress, the country still faces challenges in meeting the World Health Organization’s (WHO) TB elimination targets.

Historical Overview

India's TB control efforts began in 1962 with the launch of the National Tuberculosis Program (NTP), initially focusing on BCG vaccinations. In 1997, the Revised National Tuberculosis Control Program (RNTCP) was introduced, incorporating the Directly Observed Treatment Short-course (DOTS) strategy to improve treatment adherence and success rates. By 2005, the RNTCP achieved nationwide coverage. In 2020, the program was renamed the National Tuberculosis Elimination Program (NTEP), setting a more ambitious goal of eradicating TB by 2025.

Current Situation and Challenges

Despite these efforts, India continues to bear around 27% of the global TB burden, with an incidence rate of 210 per 100,000 people in 2021. The country also faces a significant challenge with drug-resistant TB, including Multi-Drug Resistant (MDR) and Extensively Drug Resistant (XDR) TB.

Key Initiatives

  • Nikshay Poshan Yojana: Launched under the National Health Mission, this program provides ₹500 per month to each notified TB patient to support their nutritional needs during treatment.
  • Private Sector Involvement: Recognizing the important role of the private sector in TB care, the NTEP has formed partnerships to enhance treatment adherence and improve case reporting.

Way Forward

To meet WHO’s TB elimination targets, India must focus on several key areas:

  • Improved Diagnostics: Utilizing AI-assisted handheld radiology and other advanced diagnostic tools can help with early detection and improve treatment outcomes.
  • New Therapeutic Agents: Speeding up the development and availability of more effective anti-TB drugs is crucial to combat drug-resistant strains.
  • Public Awareness and Education: Raising awareness about TB symptoms, available treatments, and the importance of completing the full course of treatment will help reduce stigma and improve adherence.

More Related Articles

Perplexity Comet Launch 2025

The Perplexity Comet launch in 2025 marks a revolutionary shift in how we interact with the internet. Developed by Perplexity AI, Comet is an AI web browser designed to delegate tasks to intellige

New Snake Escape Behavior Found

In a groundbreaking study, scientists have discovered a new type of snake escape behavior in newborn yellow anacondas, offering new insights into snake locomotion and evolution. The discovery, kno

LIGO Black Hole Detection: India's Role

A monumental scientific breakthrough has recently taken place—LIGO black hole detection has revealed the largest black hole collision ever recorded through gravitational waves. This discover

Brain-Controlled Biohybrid Robotics

In a significant scientific advancement, Chinese researchers have developed the world’s lightest brain-controlled device that can manipulate the movement of a bee. This development marks

Dror-1 SpaceX Falcon 9 Launch

In a major leap forward for Israel’s space capabilities, the Dror-1 SpaceX Falcon 9 mission successfully launched Israel’s most advanced communications satellite on 13 July 2025. The s

BioEmu Microsoft Launches AI Leap

In a major leap for science and technology, Microsoft has unveiled BioEmu, a groundbreaking AI-powered protein simulator designed to transform the fields of biotech and drug discovery. This advanc

Redefinition of the Second: Future Of Timekeeping

The redefinition of the second is a major scientific development expected to shape the future of timekeeping. For decades, the second—the fundamental unit of time—has been based on ces

Govt Launches Text to Graphics Generator

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) has launched an important national initiative called the ‘Kalaa Setu – Real-Time Language Tech for Bharat’ Challenge under the

Earth's Rotation Speed Is Increasing

On 9 July 2025, Earth completed a full rotation 1.6 milliseconds faster than the standard 24-hour day. This was the shortest day ever recorded, indicating a sudden increase in Earth's rotation

Magnetic Energy in Solar Loops

In a major advancement in solar research, scientists have detected miniature plasma loops in the Sun’s chromosphere, the lower layer of the solar atmosphere. This breakthrough enhances ou

Toppers

anil kumar
Akshay kuamr
geeta kumari
shubham