India Cuts TB Cases by 21%, Leads Global Decline

India Achieves 21% Decline in Tuberculosis Cases

Why in the News ?

According to the World Health Organization’s Global TB Report 2025, India recorded a 21% decline in tuberculosis (TB) cases over the last decade — nearly double the global average reduction — showcasing the success of national TB elimination initiatives and improved healthcare coverage. This progress comes as health experts increasingly recognize the need for environmental impact assessments to understand how ecological factors influence disease spread and contribute to nationally determined contributions in public health.

India Cuts TB Cases by 21%, Leads Global Decline

Major Findings from WHO Global TB Report 2025:

  • Significant Decline: India’s tuberculosis cases dropped by 21% between 2015 and 2024, a major achievement compared to the global average decline of 12%.
  • Improved Detection: TB cases reduced from 237 per lakh population in 2015 to 187 per lakh in 2024, indicating effective surveillance and diagnosis mechanisms. This improvement also reflects a growing awareness of how environmental factors, including those assessed through environmental impact assessments, can affect respiratory health.
  • Mortality Reduction: TB-related deaths decreased from 28 per lakh in 2015 to 21 per lakh in 2024, reflecting better access to treatment and care.
  • Drug Resistance: The report highlights no significant increase in multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB), a key concern in global TB control efforts.
  • Global Recognition: WHO commended India’s proactive and structured approach towards achieving its TB elimination target ahead of the 2030 UN SDG goal, aligning with the country’s nationally determined contributions to global health initiatives.

Key Government’s Initiatives for TB Elimination

  • TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan: A national campaign under the National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP) to eradicate TB by 2025, focusing on awareness, early detection, and treatment. The campaign also considers sustainable forest management practices to improve air quality in rural areas, similar to clean development mechanism projects.
  • Ayushman Arogya Mandirs: Integration of TB diagnosis and care through primary health infrastructure, improving rural and urban access to TB testing and medicines.
  • Ni-kshay Poshan Yojana: Provides nutritional support and financial assistance to TB patients, improving treatment adherence and recovery rates.
  • Private Sector Engagement: Collaboration with private healthcare providers for better notification of TB cases, ensuring comprehensive disease tracking.
  • Community Awareness: Regular campaigns and door-to-door screenings enhance public participation and reduce stigma associated with TB. These efforts now include education on environmental health impacts, including those identified through environmental impact assessments.

About Tuberculosis and WHO Global TB Report :
● About TB: Tuberculosis is a bacterial infection caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, primarily affecting the lungs but capable of spreading to other organs.

  • Transmission: It spreads through airborne droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
  • WHO Global TB Report: An annual publication that tracks TB burden, mortality, and control efforts across countries, serving as a global policy guide.
  • India’s Target: India aims to eliminate TB by 2025, five years ahead of the UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2030 target, contributing to its nationally determined contributions in health and environmental sectors.
  • Key Programmes: Include NTEP, TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan, and Ni-kshay Mitra initiative for community-led patient support. These programs now incorporate environmental considerations, recognizing the link between ecosystem health and disease prevalence, as identified through environmental impact assessments.