Taking on TB

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.

Source: Indian Express