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New Delhi, July 9 (IANS) — As India intensifies its battle against tuberculosis (TB), experts are turning to verbal autopsy as a crucial scientific method to uncover the underlying causes of TB-related deaths. This approach, championed by Dr. Kavita Vasudevan of the Indira Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute (IGMC&RI) in Puducherry, is providing new insights into why TB remains one of the country’s deadliest infectious diseases.
A verbal autopsy is an interview-based process in which close relatives or caregivers of the deceased are questioned about the circumstances leading up to death. This method combines both quantitative analysis—such as reviewing clinical records—and qualitative interviews with stakeholders, including National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP) staff and family members. It is especially valuable in cases where medical records do not clearly indicate the cause of death.
“Verbal autopsy provides insights into the patient as well as health system delays, social or financial challenges faced during the illness, perceptions of healthcare services, and barriers to accessing timely diagnosis and treatment,” said Dr. Vasudevan.
The technique is not new to India; it has been part of the government’s Sample Registration System since 2001 and is a key component of the “Mortality in India Established through Verbal Autopsy” (MINErVA) platform, established by AIIMS, New Delhi in 2017. The NTEP now mandates in-depth verbal autopsies for TB deaths to inform program adjustments and optimize service delivery, aiming to prevent avoidable fatalities.
India continues to face a significant TB burden, with recent estimates indicating 23 deaths per lakh population. TB is currently the second leading cause of death from a single infectious agent globally, surpassing even HIV and trailing only behind COVID-19.
In Puducherry, the IGMC&RI is investigating the causes behind 160 TB deaths reported in 2024. Preliminary findings reveal that most deaths occur within seven days of diagnosis, suggesting that patients often seek care too late. Many of those who died were from neighboring districts in Tamil Nadu, sometimes providing false addresses to access treatment in Puducherry.
The World Health Organization (WHO) also endorses the use of verbal autopsy to better understand the early symptoms, treatment delays, and diagnostic challenges associated with TB, as part of the global End TB Strategy, which aims to reduce TB deaths by 90% by 2025.
Dr. Vasudevan believes that verbal autopsy will help identify patterns of treatment delay, clarify reasons behind TB deaths, and ultimately improve triage and referral systems—critical steps toward reducing the TB mortality rate in India.
Disclaimer: This article is based on information provided by the Indira Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute, the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme, and statements from Dr. Kavita Vasudevan as reported by IANS. The findings and opinions presented are for informational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice. For personal health concerns or TB treatment, consult a qualified healthcare professional.
