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General Studies Prelims

General Studies (Mains)

World Tuberculosis Report 2022 Highlights Pandemic’s Impact on TB

The World Health Organisation (WHO) released the World Tuberculosis Report 2022, which details the pandemic’s influence on the diagnosis, treatment, and disease burden of Tuberculosis (TB) worldwide. The findings from 215 countries and regions, including all 194 WHO member states, are included in this document.

Key Findings of the Report

The report identifies a global rise in TB diagnoses in 2021, with approximately 10.6 million people diagnosed, an increase of 4.5% from 2020. Tragically, 1.6 million patients succumbed to the disease. A significant number of TB deaths, around 187,000 patients, tested positive for HIV. The majority of TB deaths among HIV-negative individuals happened in African and South-East Asia regions.

The report also shows a decrease in new TB diagnoses from 7.1 million in 2019 to 5.8 million in 2020, partially recovering to 6.4 million in 2021, though still below pre-pandemic levels.

India and TB: Numbers and Impact

India accounted for a significant portion of the global TB patient count with 28% of cases. It was among the eight nations reporting more than two-thirds of the total cases. The other countries were Indonesia, China, the Philippines, Pakistan, Nigeria, Bangladesh, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In addition to having a high case count, India contributed 36% of TB-related deaths among HIV-negative individuals globally.

Performance of India: Significant Improvements Despite Challenges

Despite facing challenges, India has shown marked improvement in key TB metrics compared to other countries. In 2021, India’s TB incidence was 210 per 100,000 population, an 18% decline from the baseline year of 2015, which is better than the global average.

Rising Challenges to Eliminating TB

The burden of drug-resistant TB (DR-TB) increased by 3% globally between 2020 and 2021. The Covid-19 pandemic significantly disrupted essential services, leading to an upturn in people developing both TB and DR-TB. The report also highlights underreporting and underdiagnosis as significant concerns, especially in India, which was among the leading contributors to this problem.

Decline in Diagnosis, Treatment and Funding for TB

There has been a decrease in the diagnosis and treatment of TB patients, with fewer people receiving treatment for DR-TB and multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB). Furthermore, there has been a decline in global funding for essential TB services.

About Tuberculosis

TB is a potentially serious infectious disease affecting primarily the lungs. It is caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. While TB is preventable and curable, its spread and treatment remain a global concern.

India’s Initiatives to Combat TB

Aiming to eliminate TB by 2025, India has initiated the Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan. This initiative ensures additional diagnostic, nutritional, and vocational support for those undergoing TB treatment. India conducts its own National TB Prevalence Survey to assess the TB burden in the country. The Union Ministry for Health and Family Welfare also launched the ‘TB Harega Desh Jeetega Campaign’.

The Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine is presently the only available vaccine for TB prevention. Two additional vaccines are under clinical trials.

Way Forward

The report underlines the need for countries to restore access to essential TB services urgently. It calls for increased investments, multi-sectoral action addressing broader determinants affecting TB epidemics and their socioeconomic impact, and the need for new diagnostics, drugs, and vaccines. Raising awareness of the disease and ensuring that those affected by TB can access care are key components of an effective TB mitigation strategy.

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