Introduction
India continues to battle one of its oldest public‑health challenges — tuberculosis (TB). Despite notable progress in the last decade, elimination goals remain ambitious, requiring renewed momentum and sharper strategic focus.
Current Status – Progress and Warning Signs
– India’s TB incidence has fallen steadily since 2015, with faster decline than global average.
– Treatment coverage and diagnostic reach have expanded through digital tools and community programmes.
– Yet India remains the world’s highest TB burden country, and elimination by 2025 is unlikely without accelerated action.
– Major concerns include undiagnosed (‘missing’) cases, MDR‑TB, and rising co‑morbidities like diabetes and malnutrition.
Why Renewed Vigour is Needed
– Large proportion of sub‑clinical TB cases continue to spread unnoticed.
– Drug‑resistant TB threatens to undermine progress.
– Need for technological scaling: AI‑based screening, rapid molecular tests, digital adherence tools.
– Social determinants — poverty, under‑nutrition, poor housing — remain unaddressed.
– Editorials warn against complacency as early success may dilute political and administrative attention.
Policy Priorities – What India Must Focus On
1. Active case finding in high‑risk groups.
2. Universal access to rapid molecular diagnostics.
3. Strengthening MDR‑TB management and drug‑susceptibility testing.
4. Nutrition support under schemes like Nikshay Poshan Yojana.
5. Tackling co‑morbidities such as diabetes.
6. District‑level accountability and real‑time surveillance.
7. Private sector engagement and stigma reduction campaigns.
Challenges Ahead
– Uneven state-wise performance.
– Under-reporting from private sector.
– Socio‑economic drivers outside the health ministry’s direct control.
– Resource constraints and need for sustained political commitment.
Way Forward
– Multi-sectoral coordination: health, nutrition, housing, and pollution control.
– Innovation-led strategy: genomics, AI, shorter treatment regimens.
– Strengthening community participation and awareness.
– Ensuring uninterrupted funding and long-term programme sustainability.
Conclusion
India is swinging hard against TB, but must avoid losing momentum. With focused strategy, strong political will, and community partnership, TB elimination remains a difficult but achievable goal.
