Published on: March 25, 2024

GLOBAL TB CHALLENGE

GLOBAL TB CHALLENGE

 UNDERSTANDING TUBERCULOSIS (TB)

  • Infectious Disease: Caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB), mainly affecting the lungs (Pulmonary TB).
  • Transmission: Spreads through the air when infected individuals cough, spit, speak, or sneeze.
  • Symptoms: Most infections are latent (no symptoms); active TB shows symptoms like cough, weight loss, fever, and fatigue.
  • Treatment: Requires multiple antibiotics over an extended period.
  • Drug Resistant TB: Includes MDR TB (resistant to isoniazid and rifampicin) and XDR TB (resistant to multiple drugs).

GLOBAL TB REPORT 2023

  • Diagnosis:5 million cases in 2022, highest since WHO monitoring began.
  • Incidence Rate: Increased by 3.9% between 2020 and 2022, reversing previous declines.
  • Recovery: Major recovery in TB diagnosis and treatment in 2022 after COVID-19 disruptions.

Status of TB in India

  • Cases:8 million cases in 2022, with a case fatality ratio of 12%.
  • Deaths: Estimated 3,42,000 deaths, with MDR-TB remaining a significant concern.

Progress and Achievements in India

  • Case Detection: Highest ever notification of cases in 2022, surpassing pre-COVID levels.
  • Treatment Coverage: Improved to 80% of estimated TB cases.
  • TB Incidence: Reduced by 16% in 2022, outpacing global decline rates.
  • Mortality: Reduced by 18% in India and globally during the same period.

WORLD TB DAY

  • Commemorates Dr. Robert Koch’s discovery of TB bacteria.
  • Theme for 2024: ‘Yes! We can end TB!’

CHALLENGES IN TB CONTROL

  • TB remains a major concern despite existing treatment protocols.
  • Various forms of TB (DR-TB, TDR-TB, XDR-TB) pose challenges.

10-POINT AGENDA FOR ENDING TB

  1. Early Detection
    • Compulsory screening for family and contacts of TB cases.
    • Availability of efficient laboratory facilities.
  2. Precise Treatment Categorisation
    • Determine resistance status for appropriate treatment.
  3. Treatment Adherence and Follow-Up
    • Leverage technology for monitoring treatment compliance.
  4. Zero Mortality
    • Mitigate mortality due to TB, including DR-TB and non-pulmonary TB.
  5. Controlling Drug Resistance
    • Address factors leading to drug resistance.
    • Regulate antibiotic use and improve treatment compliance.
  6. Assessing Extent of Drug-Resistant TB
    • Gather data on MDR-TB and RR-TB cases for program planning.
  7. Availability of Appropriate Medicines
    • Address procurement challenges for DR-TB medications.
    • Ensure treatment facilities for all DR-TB cases.
  8. Integration into Larger Health Systems
    • Strengthen referral networks and screening processes.
  9. Dynamic Notification System
    • Improve real-time TB data capture and sharing.
  10. Population Mobility and Migration
    • Ensure portability of TB treatment within the country.