March 24 is observed as World TB Day every year as tuberculosis continues to devastate millions globally, inflicting severe health, social and economic consequences. India is also fighting against this deadly infectious disease and has expanded its tuberculosis program to all districts across the country.
The government has announced an extension to the 100-day TB campaign. It was initially implemented in 445 districts, with significant success in TB detection and treatment. This prompted authorities to scale the campaign nationwide. As such, the Union Health Ministry will extend the program to sustain momentum in tackling the disease.
The ministry highlighted that 13.46 lakh Ni-kshay camps were conducted, and 12.97 crore vulnerable individuals were screened. Around 2.85 lakh asymptomatic cases were notified and 7.19 lakh TB patients were detected. An official said if this initiative had not been launched, lakhs of asymptomatic TB cases could have gone undetected.
It should be noted that TB is on a decline in India – an incidence rate of 237 cases per lakh population in 2015 to 195 per lakh in 2023.
The theme for World TB Day 2025 is ‘Yes! We Can End TB: Commit, Invest, Deliver. According to WHO, it offers the opportunity to reflect on ongoing efforts and encourage stronger commitment at local, national, and international levels to end the disease, including by combating the growing threat of drug-resistant TB. The global body says strong commitment is crucial amid declining international funding for TB in the current geopolitical climate which threatens the achievement of global targets to end TB by 2030.
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What is TB?
Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious bacterial disease that affects the lungs. It spreads through the air when an infected person coughs, talks, or sneezes. TB is transmitted through airborne particles, similar to how coronavirus spreads. It can be easily spread when someone who is infected coughs, and the microscopic particles containing the bacteria are inhaled by another person. TB is preventable and curable, usually treated with antibiotics. Some countries also have a vaccine, BCG, for babies and small children to prevent this infectious disease. It helps prevent deaths and protects small children from serious forms of tuberculosis.
Symptoms of TB
Some of the common symptoms of TB are prolonged cough (sometimes with blood), chest pain, weakness, fatigue, weight loss, fever, and night sweats. It should be noted that people with tuberculosis infection don’t fall sick and aren’t contagious. The disease occurs when the bacteria multiplies in the body and affects different organs like the brain, kidneys, spine and skin.
Doctors say TB symptoms can be mild for many months, and some people do not have any symptoms of the disease.
