WHO lauds India's success in declining TB incidence, mortality reduction

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare issued a press release that said that India has made tremendous progress in improving case detection and reversed the impact of COVID-19 on the TB program. Earlier on Tuesday, The World Health Organization released its Global TB (Tuberculosis)released a report on Tuesday. 

World Health Organization, @WHO acknowledges India’s success in declining TB incidence by 16% and TB mortality reduction by 18% in the year 2022 since 2015.

The World Health Organization releases its Global TB Report 2023 which states that $India has made tremendous progress in… pic.twitter.com/LB1AUW9ZVA

— All India Radio News (@airnewsalerts) November 8, 2023

The official release further mentioned that the treatment coverage has improved to 80 percent of the TB cases, which is 19 percent higher than the previous year.

According to the official statement, India's efforts have resulted in the reduction of TB incidence by 16 percent in 2022 (from 2015), almost double the pace at which global TB incidence is declining (which is 8.7 percent) while the mortality of TB has also reduced by 18 percent during the same period in India and globally.

Downward revision of TB-related mortality

The press note further added that The WHO reviewed all data presented and not only accepted but also appreciated the efforts made by the country. This year, the Global TB Report has acknowledged and published the revised estimates for India with a downward revision of the burden estimates, especially TB-related mortality figures.

According to the press release, the report notes that India's intensified case detection strategies have resulted in the highest-ever notification of cases - in 2022, during which, over 24.22 lakh TB cases were notified, surpassing the pre-COVID levels.

The key initiatives launched and scaled up by the government like specialized active case finding drives, scaling up of molecular diagnostics to block levels, decentralization of screening services through Ayushman Bharat Health & Wellness Centres, and private sector engagement have resulted in significantly bridging the gap in missing cases, said the official statement.