India Among Nations Making Steady Progress in the Fight Against Tuberculosis

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The World Health Organization (WHO) has commended India for its efforts to combat tuberculosis, citing significant gains in reducing the detection gap and improving TB-related mortality rates. According to the WHO's Global Tuberculosis Report 2025, India has made progress in narrowing the detection gap, with a notable increase in the number of TB cases being notified. The report highlights that India, along with Bangladesh and Thailand, has demonstrated encouraging gains in reducing TB incidence rates. TB continues to be a major public health concern in the South-East Asia Region, which accounts for nearly one-third of new TB cases worldwide. While the region has reduced TB incidence by 16% since 2015, deaths from the disease are not decreasing at a satisfactory pace. The WHO emphasizes the need for accelerated action to meet the '2025 End TB' milestones. The report reveals that 10.7 million people developed TB and 1.23 million died from the disease in 2024. The region is also grappling with the issue of drug-resistant TB, with an estimated 150,000 new cases in 2024. WHO officials stress that early detection, rapid treatment, prevention, and strong primary healthcare are key to combating TB. However, the region faces significant challenges, including undernutrition and diabetes, which contribute to nearly 850,000 new TB cases each year. Almost half of all TB-affected families face catastrophic costs, and funding for TB programs has stalled, threatening progress made so far. The WHO has called for sustained political and financial commitment to protect and expand essential TB services, integrate them into primary healthcare, and strengthen social protection. Investing in communities, innovation, and digital tools will be crucial in closing the remaining gaps and accelerating progress in the fight against TB.