Will ensure a tuberculosis-free India through collective spirit: PM Modi

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Sunday said decline in tuberculosis incidence is an outcome of dedicated and innovative efforts, and asserted that "we will keep working towards a tuberculosis-free India" through a collective spirit. His remarks came after health minister J P Nadda stated in a post that World Health Organisation (WHO) has recognised India's "remarkable" progress, with a 17.7% decline in tuberculosis incidence from 2015 to 2023 - a rate more than double the global decline of 8.3%.

In a post on X, PM Modi said, "Commendable progress! The decline in tuberculosis incidence is an outcome of India's dedicated and innovative efforts. Through a collective spirit, we will keep working towards a tuberculosis-free India."

On Saturday, Nadda said under the "visionary leadership of PM Modi, govt has expanded and strengthened National tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP) by taking key initiatives" such as Ni-Kshay Poshan Yojana to provide essential nutritional support to tuberculosis patients, and introduction of BPaLM regimen, a novel treatment for Multi-Drug Resistant Tuberculosis (MDR-tuberculosis).

"I also acknowledge the tireless efforts of health ministry's dedicated healthcare workers, whose unwavering commitment and hardwork play a crucial role in this fight against tuberculosis," Nadda said. WHO, in its latest report on tuberculosis globally, has acknowledged progress made in India to eliminate the infection.

While WHO had downsized its estimation of tuberculosis mortality in India last year, the current report documents sustained reduction in deaths due to tuberculosis achieved by the country from 28 per lakh population to 22 per lakh population, a 21% decline. The WHO report also noted that a majority of the funding of tuberculosis programme comes from govt resources.

Health ministry sources said govt is procuring over 800 AI-enabled portable chest X-Ray machines to complement India's extensive tuberculosis laboratory network - largest in the world, with 7,767 rapid molecular testing facilities and 87 culture and drug susceptibility testing laboratories spread across country.

In Sept, govt approved introduction of BPaLM regimen under its National tuberculosis Elimination Program as a highly effective and shorter treatment option.

India has notified 19.88 lakh tuberculosis patients (Jan - Sept 2024) as compared to 19.08 lakh during the same period in 2023, a 4% increase.

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