India observes World Tuberculosis Day with renewed commitment to eradication by 2025

India observes World Tuberculosis Day with renewed commitment to eradication by 2025

India marked World Tuberculosis (TB) Day on March 24, reaffirming its commitment to eliminating the deadly disease by 2025. The day aims to raise awareness about the global health threat posed by TB, which primarily affects the lungs and spreads through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or spits.

In her message on the eve of World Tuberculosis Day, the President of India, Droupadi Murmu commended the National TB Elimination Programme and its efforts to raise awareness through public participation. She emphasized the theme for this year, “Yes, We Can End TB: Commit, Invest, Deliver,” calling for a united global effort to eradicate the disease. “Our united efforts to end TB and awareness campaigns have led to a significant reduction in TB cases in the country over the past decade. I urge all stakeholders to work collectively to make India TB-free,” she said.

Union Health Minister JP Nadda also highlighted the progress made by India in combating TB, stating that the government has made remarkable strides toward eliminating the world’s deadliest infectious disease. “Our government has made notable progress through the National TB Elimination Programme, and we are committed to achieving our goal of eliminating TB by 2025, five years ahead of the global target,” Nadda said in a statement.

India has witnessed a 17.7% decline in TB incidence from 2015 to 2023, surpassing the global average reduction of 8.3%, according to the WHO Global TB Report 2024. Additionally, TB-related deaths in the country have dropped by 21.4% during the same period.

To intensify efforts, the government launched the India 100 Days TB Elimination Campaign in December, focusing on high-burden districts. The campaign has detected over five lakh TB patients across 347 high-priority districts in 33 states and union territories. To further support TB patients, the government has increased the financial assistance under the Nikshya Poshan Yojana from Rs. 500 to Rs. 1,000 per month to ensure adequate nutrition during treatment.

India continues to lead the fight against TB, which remains a significant health challenge, accounting for 26% of global TB cases and 29% of global TB-related deaths. As the nation works toward a TB-free future, Nadda extended his gratitude to healthcare workers for their dedication and urged all citizens to join efforts in creating a “#TBMuktBharat” for better health outcomes.

“Together, we can eliminate TB and improve health for all,” Nadda concluded.