Data Points:

India’s TB incidence for the year 2021 is 210 per 100,000 population – compared to the baseline year of 2015 (incidence was 256 per lakh of population in India); there has been an 18% decline which is 7 percentage points better than the global average of 11%. These figures also place India at the 36^th position in terms of incidence rates (from largest to smallest incidence numbers).

Steps taken by the government for eradicating TB:

• Scaling up of diagnostic capability to strengthen detection efforts.
• Use of indigenously-developed molecular diagnostics has helped expand the reach of diagnosis to every part of the country today.
• India is conducting its own National Prevalence Survey to assess the true TB burden in the country – the world’s largest such survey ever conducted.
• The TB Programme’s nutrition support scheme – Ni-kshay Poshan Yojana – has proved critical for the vulnerable. During 2020 and 2021, India made cash transfers of 89 million dollars (INR 670 crores) to TB patients through a Direct Benefit Transfer programme.
• In September 2022, the Honourable President of India has launched a first-of-its-kind initiative, Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan to provide additional nutritional support to those on TB treatment, through contributions from community including individuals and organizations.

Facts for Prelims:

• The WHO releases the Global TB Report.

Source: PIB