Every year on March 24th, the world unites to fight tuberculosis (TB)—a disease that still kills 3,425 people daily and infects close to 30,000, despite being preventable and curable. Global efforts have saved 79 million lives since the year 2000, and the rate of TB diagnosis is improving. In 2023, 8.2 million people received treatment—an increase from 7.5 million in 2022 (WHO Report). A study by PLoS in 2024 estimated that tuberculosis would have over 62 million cases and 8 million deaths with over $146 million loss in GDP by the year 2040, but increasing the case detection and achieving the WHO End-TB target of 90 percent can decrease the disease burden by 75-90 percent. Yet, many cases go undiagnosed, creating a huge gap in healthcare. However, 5.8 million cases in 2020 and 6.4 million cases in 2021 were successfully treated. Despite these advancements, a substantial gap persists between the estimated number of people who contract TB and those who are diagnosed and treated. In 2023, TB reclaimed its position as one of the leading causes of death from a single infectious agent, with 1.25 million fatalities, surpassing other infectious diseases.
India, which has the world’s largest TB burden, has seen a 17.7% decline in cases since 2015—double the global average. The government’s 100-day TB elimination campaign has screened high-risk groups, identifying 430,000 cases in 455 districts. Recognizing that nutrition plays a crucial role in TB recovery, the Ni-kshay Poshan Yojana has supported approximately 1.3 million patients, and in October 2024, monthly aid doubled from ₹500 to ₹1,000.
For TB diagnosis the suspect needs to be screened by the health care worker for the symptoms and if detected is offered a diagnostic test. Symptom screening using the WHO-recommended four-symptom screening tool (W4SS) for current cough, fever, night sweats, or weight loss to identify suspects with presumptive TB is still a very effective tool available.
To overcome the TB Burden, GLRA India has joined hands with the government in the TB Elimination drive (TB Mukt Bharat) by working on three interventions: Nai DISHA “On the Road to End TB” supported by DB Schenker India, Healthcare for Truckers supported by Apollo Tyres Foundation, and It’s a FIGHTBACK- TB Elimination Programme supported by Artemis Hospitals, Gurugram.
Through these interventions, GLRA India reached more than 250,000 people in Bangalore, Bhiwandi, Chennai, Gurugram, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Lucknow, Mumbai, Pune, Raipur, and Salem. Where we not only identified the early signs and symptoms of TB but also made sure to provide timely treatment and provided Nutrition support.
This year’s theme, "Yes! We Can End TB: Commit, Invest, Deliver," urges governments, health workers, and individuals to step up for the cause. TB is still one of the deadliest diseases, but with early detection, timely treatments, and community support, we can end it.
TB elimination is a long voyage to achieving TB Mukt Bharat. But the best part is that we are getting closer to the finish line. Together, we can find TB and defeat it.
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www.glraindia.org
Account Name: GERMAN LEPROSY AND TB RELIEF ASSOCIATION INDIA
Account Number: 1345967218
Account CRN: 213670657
Branch IFSC Code: KKBK0000469
Home Branch: Anna Nagar
