TB reporting in India has been a concern, but the country has seen improvements in recent years.
Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Anupriya Patel said in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha, “Notified cases of TB increased from 18.05 lakh in 2020 to 25.52 lakh in 2023.”
He added that around 21.69 lakh TB cases have been reported between January and October in 2024.
Patel said that the National TB Eradication Program (NTEP) under the auspices of the National Health Mission (NHM) has made significant efforts to make India TB free.
India aims to end TB by 2025, five years ahead of the 2030 global target.
Major reductions in fatal infectious disease incidence rates and associated mortality have been observed.
“Incidence rate of TB in India decreased by 17.7% from 237 per 100,000 population in 2015 to 195 per 100,000 population in 2023. TB mortality decreased by 21.4% from 28 per lakh population in 2015. In 2023 ,” said Patel.
Further, Patel noted that key efforts and interventions undertaken under the NTEP include targeted interventions in high TB burden areas through state and district specific strategic plans. provision of free medicines and diagnostics to TB patients; Active TB case finding through campaigns in key vulnerable and stratified populations.
The program has also integrated Ayushman Arogya Mandir with TB screening and treatment services. Increased involvement of private sector with incentives for reporting and management of TB cases Molecular diagnostic laboratories have been extended to sub-district level. and expanded coverage under the Nikshe Poshan Yojana for nutritional support to TB patients, the MoS said.