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India Ranks Among Top 7 High TB-Burden Countries in Treatment Coverage
In a landmark achievement, India has emerged as one of the top nations for tuberculosis (TB) treatment coverage among high TB-burden countries, according to the latest World Health Organization (WHO) report. Among the 30 countries with a significant TB burden, India, along with Brazil, Mozambique, Papua New Guinea, Sierra Leone, Uganda, and Zambia, has surpassed 80% treatment coverage in 2023. This development highlights India’s progress in combating TB, though significant challenges remain as the country races toward its goal of eliminating the disease by 2025.
Increased Preventive Therapy Coverage
The report underscores India’s strides in preventive care, with a notable rise in preventive therapy provided to those most vulnerable to TB. Approximately 12.2 lakh (1.22 million) individuals in India were initiated on preventive therapy in 2023, compared to 10.2 lakh in 2022 and 4.2 lakh in 2021. This uptick in preventive therapy benefits household contacts of TB patients and people living with HIV, groups at heightened risk of TB infection.
Preventive therapy has proven effective in reducing TB incidence within at-risk communities. By expanding this coverage, India aims to curb the spread of TB from primary cases to family members and close contacts.
Government-Funded Treatment Programs
To address the financial burden of TB treatment—particularly for those requiring extended therapy lasting up to two years—the Indian government provides free medication for patients, making it accessible to millions. The high costs and duration of TB treatment often place a strain on household finances, a concern especially relevant to drug-resistant TB cases, where treatment options are limited and costly.
The report highlights the success rates for TB treatment in India: 89% for drug-susceptible TB cases, 73% for rifampicin-resistant or multi-drug resistant TB, and 69% for extremely drug-resistant TB. These figures reflect India’s strong commitment to improving TB care and the effectiveness of its treatment initiatives.
The Burden of TB in India and the Path Ahead
India’s TB burden remains substantial. With 28 lakh (2.8 million) TB cases in 2023, the country accounted for 26% of the global TB burden—the highest worldwide. TB-related deaths in India were estimated at 3.15 lakh (315,000), making up 29% of global TB deaths. Despite these numbers, the WHO report points to progress in reducing the gap between estimated cases and those diagnosed. In 2023, India reported 25.2 lakh cases, up from 24.2 lakh in 2022, reflecting an increase in diagnosis and reporting accuracy.
The country has set an ambitious target to eliminate TB by 2025, five years ahead of the global target. This goal will require sustained government intervention, increased public health funding, and continuous collaboration with global health organizations. Expanding awareness, preventive care, and treatment access is critical to achieving this objective, especially as drug-resistant strains continue to pose challenges.
Global Context: TB as the Leading Infectious Disease Killer
Globally, TB reclaimed its position as the leading infectious disease killer in 2023, overtaking COVID-19, with an estimated 8.2 million new cases—a significant rise from the 7.5 million cases reported in 2022. These statistics underscore the urgent need for countries worldwide to bolster their TB response strategies and strengthen health infrastructure, particularly in high-burden regions.
India’s achievements in expanding TB treatment coverage set an encouraging example for other nations. However, reaching the target of TB elimination requires sustained efforts in funding, public health policy, and community awareness to control this persistent public health threat.
