The World Health Organization (WHO) has released its Global TB Report 2023, showcasing India’s impressive strides in tuberculosis (TB) control efforts. According to the report, India has achieved significant success in improving case detection and mitigating the impact of COVID-19 on its TB program. Notably, treatment coverage has surged to 80% of estimated TB cases, marking a 19% increase from the previous year.
WHO acknowledges India’s success in declining TB incidence by 16% and TB mortality reduction by 18% since 2015
Reduction of #TB incidence almost double the pace of Decline in global TB Incidence
Improvement in treatment coverage to 80% of the estimated TB cases; increase of 19%…
— PIB India (@PIB_India) November 8, 2023
India’s concerted efforts have led to a substantial 16% reduction in TB incidence in 2022, compared to 2015 figures. This pace of decline is nearly double the global average of 8.7%. Additionally, TB-related mortality in India has dropped by 18% during the same period, mirroring a global trend. The WHO has revised TB mortality rates downward from 4.94 lakhs in 2021 to 3.31 lakhs in 2022, marking a significant reduction of over 34%.
In the Global TB Report 2022, the WHO and the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India, had initially published India’s data as “Interim,” with an understanding that WHO would collaborate with the ministry’s technical team to finalize the figures.
Subsequently, there were over 50 meetings between the technical teams of WHO and the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. India presented extensive new evidence, mathematical modeling data generated within the country, and information from the Ni-kshay portal, which tracks the treatment journey of every TB patient.
The WHO team conducted a thorough review of the data and not only accepted but also appreciated India’s efforts. In this year’s Global TB Report, India’s revised estimates, particularly TB-related mortality figures, have been acknowledged and published.
The report highlights India’s proactive case detection strategies, resulting in record-high case notifications. In 2022, over 24.22 lakh TB cases were reported, surpassing pre-COVID levels. Key government initiatives, such as specialized active case finding campaigns, widespread use of molecular diagnostics at the grassroots level, decentralization of screening services through Ayushman Bharat Health & Wellness Centres, and private sector involvement, have significantly reduced the gap in identifying missing TB cases.
The Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan has received overwhelming support across the country, with over 1 lakh Ni-kshay Mitras from various backgrounds stepping forward to assist more than 11 lakh TB patients. Through the Ni-kshay Poshan Yojana, over Rs 2613 crore has been disbursed to over 95 lakh TB patients since its launch in 2018. Innovative patient-centric initiatives like the Family Care Giver Model and Differentiated Care have been introduced to further reduce mortality rates and enhance treatment success.
The report also acknowledges India’s commitment to prioritize TB elimination, with additional resources invested in the National TB Elimination Programme under the National Health Mission.
