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The government’s determined efforts to combat tuberculosis (TB) in India have resulted in a 16% reduction in TB incidence and an 18% decrease in TB-related deaths, announced Anupriya Patel, Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare. Speaking at an event organized by Medanta Hospital to commemorate a decade of its ‘Mission TB Free’ initiative, Patel highlighted the progress made in the battle against one of India’s most persistent public health challenges.
Despite India’s commitment to eliminating TB by 2025, five years ahead of the global target set for 2030, the country still grapples with a significant TB burden. The disease accounts for 2.6 million cases annually, representing 26% of the global total, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). India remains the country with the highest global TB burden, contributing to 27% of all cases worldwide.
During her address, Patel emphasized the need for a united approach to overcome the challenges of TB elimination. “India bears a significant burden of tuberculosis, and overcoming the challenges to eliminate TB requires collective effort,” she remarked, praising the collaborative spirit shown by various stakeholders in this mission.
Patel also outlined the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare’s efforts in driving key initiatives that have contributed to the decline in TB cases and deaths. “The Ministry has worked tirelessly, driving key initiatives like the Nikshay Poshan Yojana and expanding diagnostic facilities, leading to a 16% decline in TB incidence and an 18% decline in TB deaths,” she stated. She further underscored the importance of continued collaboration, innovative diagnostics, and community-level interventions to achieve the goal of TB elimination, urging everyone to join hands to make “TB Harega, Desh Jeetega” a reality.
The Union Minister also lauded Medanta, state governments, non-profits, and the medical community for their significant contributions to the ‘Mission TB Free’ campaign. Over the past decade, Medanta’s efforts under this initiative have led to the screening of 10 lakh individuals for TB, the completion of 80,000 chest X-rays, and the diagnosis of over 10,000 TB cases across Haryana and neighboring states.
This pioneering public health campaign has notably improved TB care by enhancing the case detection rate, particularly in remote areas with limited access to medical facilities. In 2024 alone, Haryana reported 54,107 TB cases, with 38% of them notified by the private sector, reflecting the substantial impact of the initiative.
Building on the success of ‘Mission TB Free’ in Haryana, the initiative has now expanded to Delhi and Uttar Pradesh, starting with Lucknow, with plans to extend to other districts. This expansion aims to further strengthen TB services in these critical regions, contributing to the nation’s ambitious target of eliminating TB.
“Our mission reflects the country’s ambitious target to eliminate TB. Our growth from a single mobile unit in 2014 to five units in 2023, supported by generous donations and strategic partnerships, exemplifies our commitment to scaling up these vital interventions to improve public health,” said Dr. Naresh Trehan, Chairman and Managing Director of Medanta.
As India continues its fight against TB, the collective efforts of government bodies, healthcare institutions, and the broader community will be crucial in achieving the vision of a TB-free nation by 2025.
