. World Tuberculosis Day - 24 March .
Progress in TB Care
India has introduced rapid molecular testing for TB and drug-resistance detection.
The all-oral BPaLM regimen (Bedaquiline, Pretomanid, Linezolid, Moxifloxacin) improves treatment options.
Doubling of nutrition support under Ni-kshay Poshan Yojana (NPY) to ₹1,000 a month helps improve patient recovery.
The 17.7% drop in TB incidence and 21.4% reduction in TB-related deaths reflect the success of these initiatives.
Decentralisation and Integration of TB Services
TB services are now integrated into Ayushman Bharat, with coverage under AB-PMJAY (world’s largest insurance scheme).
Health and Wellness Centres (Ayushman Arogya Mandirs - AAMs) offer diagnostics, treatment, and preventive TB care at the primary care level.
Sputum collection for testing is available at local AAMs, making diagnosis more accessible.
Optimisation of sample collection and transportation improves diagnostic efficiency.
Patients diagnosed at secondary or tertiary facilities can receive treatment at nearby health centres, minimizing time and costs.
Community health officers at AAMs are trained to identify and refer patients with severe TB for admission.
Equitable and Decentralised Care
Person-centred care and vulnerability identification are vital for reducing TB mortality and improving outcomes.
Model interventions like Tamil Nadu's TB death-free project (TN-KET) have successfully reduced mortality through robust referral systems.
Interventions targeting vulnerable populations, like migrants and tribals, have shown positive results.
The approach includes integrating general health screenings, addressing gender, disability, and socio-economic factors in TB care.
The National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP) has adopted a gender-responsive approach, focusing on how different groups experience TB.
Communication and Public Awareness
Public understanding of TB needs to improve, similar to the successful COVID-19 awareness campaigns.
Reducing stigma and promoting knowledge about drug-resistant TB and prevention measures is essential for early diagnosis and treatment.
Promoting equitable access to high-quality TB care for everyone is vital to achieving TB elimination and universal health coverage (UHC).
COMMENTS