The WHO's global TB report 2023 confirms the progress made by India in curbing TB by a significant margin
Recent developments show that India has made tremendous progress in improving case detection and has successfully reversed the impact of COVID-19 on the country’s TB program. The World Health Organization (WHO) has just released its highly anticipated Global TB Report 2023, and the findings are nothing short of extraordinary for India.
India’s dedicated efforts have resulted in significant improvements in the fight against tuberculosis, with treatment coverage now reaching 80% of the estimated TB cases, marking a remarkable 19% increase from the previous year.
Based on input from PIB, the key highlights of the report include:
1. Reduction in TB incidence: India has achieved a 16% reduction in TB incidence in 2022 compared to 2015, nearly double the global TB incidence decline rate of 8.7%. This substantial reduction in the number of new TB cases is a testament to India’s unwavering commitment to eradicating this deadly disease.
2. Mortality reduction: The mortality rate from TB has also significantly decreased by 18% during the same period, both in India and globally. As a result, the WHO has revised its TB mortality estimates from 4.94 lakhs in 2021 to 3.31 lakhs in 2022, marking a remarkable 34% reduction.
3. Collaboration between WHO and the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India: The report highlights the collaborative efforts of the WHO and the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India, in gathering and analysing data. Over 50 meetings were held between the technical teams of both organizations, where the country team presented new evidence and in-country mathematical modelling, including data from the Ni-kshay portal, which tracks the entire treatment course of TB patients.
India’s intensified case detection strategies led to the highest-ever notification of cases, with over 24.22 lakh TB cases reported in 2022, surpassing pre-COVID levels. This success is attributed to government initiatives, including active case-finding drives, expanded molecular diagnostics, decentralised screening services through Ayushman Bharat Health & Wellness Centres, and private sector engagement.
India has demonstrated its commitment to TB elimination by allocating additional resources to the National TB Elimination Programme, implemented under the National Health Mission.
The WHO team not only accepted but also appreciated the extensive efforts made by India. As a result, the Global TB Report has acknowledged and published revised estimates for India, particularly in relation to TB-related mortality figures.
