| Syllabus: GS-I, Subject: Society and Social Justice, Topic: Social sector- Health, Issue: TB elimination |
Context: India TB report-2024
Key findings:
- India achieved its 2023 goal of initiating treatment for 95% of diagnosed TB patients.
- India may not achieve TB elimination target next year due to the increasing Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis(MDR-TB) epidemic.
- Better testing for MDR-TB, with almost 60% of diagnosed cases undergoing drug resistance tests
Concerns in TB elimination:
- Molecular testing is preferred for MDR-TB detection, yet its usage remains limited.
- Completion rates for MDR-TB treatment are below 60%.
- Mental healthcare support for TB patients remains insufficient.
- TB disproportionately affects the poor, slum dwellers, and HIV/AIDS patients.
Recent steps to eliminate TB:
- Patent office’s decision not to renew Johnson and Johnson’s copyright on bedaquiline enables the development of cheaper generic versions.
The way ahead:
- Transitioning to bedaquiline, a shorter-duration drug for MDR-TB treatment.
- Combine advanced technology and compassionate care to advance TB treatment.
