(The Gist of Science Reporter) National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme: India TB Report - 2020

(GIST OF SCIENCE REPORTER) National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme: India TB Report - 2020

[September-2020]

National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme: India TB Report - 2020

The Tuberculosis from the country by 2025, which is notably five years ahead of the global target of 2030. Government of India is committed to eliminating On 24 June 2020, Union Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan released the Annual TB Report 2020 which shows how India is faring under the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme, earlier known as the Revised National TB Control Programme.
TB is an infectious disease and remains a challenge for the whole world. It is caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis which mostly affects the lungs. It spreads from person to person through cough, sneeze and saliva of the patients. Its symptoms include cough with sputum and blood, chest pain, weakness, weight loss, fever and night sweats. Fortunately, TB is now a treatable and curable disease but patients have to rigorously follow the advised treatment. Leaving the treatment in between can increase the chances of developing drug-resistant TB.
Under the National Strategic Plan for Tuberculosis elimination, the Government of India is looking at complete eradication of TB from the country. To achieve this goal, it is important to have complete data covering all the aspects of the disease. This data is prepared and published every year by the Central TB Division in the form of an Annual TB Report.
According to the report, among states with more than 50 lakh population, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh were the top three states for tuberculosis control. Among states with less than 50 lakh population, Tripura and Nagaland were the best performing states. Among the Union territories, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu performed the best.
According to the report, the country needs to do a lot to achieve its goal of eliminating TB.
As per the data tobacco consumption is rising among Indian TB patients as 8% of TB cases can be attributed to tobacco usage. India accounts for 9% of all HIV-associated TB deaths in the world, the second highest number globally. According to the report, 20% of all TB cases in India also suffer from diabetes. In 2019, among the notified TB patients under the RNTCP, 64% were screened for diabetes.
The Govt of India is running many initiatives to eradicate tuberculosis from India. The TB Harega Desh Jeetega Campaign was launched in September 2019 to showcase the highest level of commitment for the elimination of TB.
The Saksham Project of the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) provides psycho-social counselling to Drug-resistant TB patients. Under the Nikshay Ecosystem information of patients and program activity and performance is monitored throughout the country. Nikshay Poshan Yojana is aimed at providing financial support to TB patients for their nutrition.