Eradication of TB by 2025 from India

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Search 24th June, 2019 Spotlight here: http://www.newsonair.com/Main_Audio_Bulletins_Search.aspx  

TOPIC: General Studies 2:

Tuberculosis (TB) is a global pandemic and continues to be a huge public health threat in India. It currently has 27 per cent of the world’s new TB cases, which is around 2.8 million. According to World Health Organisation (WHO), the country holds the dubious distinction of being the TB capital of the world as around 480,000 people died due to the disease in 2014. As per Stop TB, 1:4 people with TB worldwide is an Indian.

Although the annual incidence of TB has reduced from 289 persons per 100,000 in year 2000 to 217 per 100,000 in 2015, eliminating TB would necessitate a dramatic reduction to less than one person per 10,00,000.

India’s vision: To end TB by 2025, five years ahead of the World’s Target under SDG’s

Link: https://indianexpress.com/article/india/pm-launches-campaign-to-eradicate-tb-from-india-by-2025-5096122/ 

Tuberculosis (TB) is a disease caused by bacteria called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The bacteria usually attack the lungs, but they can also damage other parts of the body.

TB spreads through the air when a person with TB of the lungs or throat coughs, sneezes, or talks. If you have been exposed, you should go to your doctor for tests. You are more likely to get TB if you have a weak immune system.

Three processes: Infection, Progression, Transmission

Features of the National Strategic Plan for TB Elimination:

The case of Metropolitan cities 

Stats: In metropolitan cities such as Mumbai have the maximum share of drug-resistant TB cases, according to the Central TB Division’s India TB Report 2018. The city has higher levels of MDR-TB than in other parts of India, at 24-30% of new cases. Studies show that Mumbai also has 22% of notified cases of TB and around 50% potential drug resistance; TB treatment is estimated at 600 per 100,000 in slum areas and 458 in non-slum areas. 

Factors: The reasons for such high incidence are manifold—overcrowded, congested conditions, poor access to healthcare facilities, migrants entering the city daily. Other factors are inadequate nutrition, lack of ventilated spaces, proximity to industry that makes people vulnerable to the harmful effects of pollution, and lack of accessible quality diagnostic services. 

Solutions: Extending testing facilities under trained staff to government dispensaries and primary health centres is a must. Many lives can be saved if tests are cheaper, accurate and patients, particularly migrants, are given counselling and other forms of support.

The Way forward

The Revised National TB Control Programme has scaled up basic TB diagnostic and treatment services, however, it can’t beat the powerful bacterium unless we adopt an out-of-the-box approach.

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