Overview
In 2022, India bore the unfortunate distinction of leading the world in tuberculosis (TB) cases, claiming a substantial 27 per cent share of the global burden. This revelation surfaced in the recently unveiled World Health Organization (WHO) Global TB report for 2023 on a Tuesday.
The Global Burden of Tuberculosis (TB)
In 2022, TB emerged as the second-leading cause of death worldwide from a single infectious agent, trailing only behind COVID-19.
Despite being a preventable and usually curable disease, TB has claimed a significant toll, causing nearly double the number of deaths as HIV/AIDS.
How is TB caused?
Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis and spreads through the air when infected individuals cough. Approximately a quarter of the world’s population is estimated to have been infected, with the most heightened risk of developing TB occurring within the first two years.
While the infection primarily affects the lungs, it can spread to other locations. Factors that increase the susceptibility to tuberculosis include diabetes mellitus, smoking, alcohol consumption, and illicit drug use.
Findings from the Global TB Report 2023
The burden of tuberculosis (TB) remains heavily concentrated, with thirty countries grappling with a staggering 87% of the world’s TB cases in 2022.
Notably, merely eight nations arose as significant contributors, collectively accounting for two-thirds of the global total. India led the distressing statistics with 27%, followed by Indonesia (10%), China (7.1%), the Philippines (7.0%), Pakistan (5.7%), Nigeria (4.5%), Bangladesh (3.6%), and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (3.0%).
Among those who caught TB, 55% were men. Women accounted for 33% of cases, while children aged 0–14 years formed 12% of TB diagnoses.
The latest report reveals that in India, 2.8 million cases of tuberculosis (TB) were reported, with a concerning 12% of them, amounting to 342,000 individuals, succumbing to the disease.
While the nation has made strides in reducing TB cases, dropping from 258 patients per 100,000 in 2015 to 199 per 100,000 people in 2022, the rate remains higher than the global average of 133 per 100,000.
The Case Fertility Ratio (CFR), signifying the severity of the disease, stands at 12% in India, pointing out that 12 out of 100 patients lost their lives to TB. This figure is double the global average of 5.8%, stressing the urgency of continued efforts to enhance TB prevention and treatment in the country.
A challenging hurdle in any country’s tuberculosis (TB) elimination efforts lies in preventing the oversight of cases and ensuring the registration or notification of most cases. The repercussions of a missed patient extend beyond individual harm, as the potential transmission of TB infection to contacts threatens large.
The recent World Health Organization (WHO) report highlights a noteworthy trend in the tuberculosis (TB) landscape concerning India, Indonesia, and the Philippines. Despite collectively glimpsing substantial global reductions in the notification of newly diagnosed cases during the pandemic years of 2020 and 2021, all three nations exhibited resilience by surpassing their 2019 (pre-pandemic) notification levels in 2022.
During the two pandemic years, India, Indonesia, and the Philippines faced a daunting 60% decline in the notification of newly diagnosed TB cases. However, the subsequent rebound in 2022 showcased an exceptional recovery, surpassing the levels observed before the onset of the pandemic.
Response by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
In a press release, India’s Ministry of Health and Family Welfare announced a significant milestone in the fight against tuberculosis (TB), with the World Health Organization (WHO) acknowledging the nation’s outstanding achievements.
The press release highlights India’s substantial 16% reduction in TB occurrence and an impressive 18% decline in TB mortality since 2015 and emphasises India’s relentless commitment to effective TB control.
Specifically noteworthy is the enhancement in treatment coverage, reaching 80% of estimated TB cases and reflecting a robust healthcare infrastructure, with a 19% increase from the previous year.
The Ni-Kshay Mitra Abhiyan is hailed as a crucial driving force behind this progress, underscoring India’s dedication and effectiveness in the ongoing battle against TB.
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