India's TB Burden Declines Significantly Amidst Elimination Efforts
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India has reported a notable reduction in its Tuberculosis (TB) burden, reflecting progress in national elimination strategies.
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The country aims to eliminate TB by 2025, five years ahead of the global Sustainable Development Goal target of 2030.
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Key initiatives like the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP) and Nikshay Poshan Yojana are central to these efforts.
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Despite the decline, challenges remain in diagnosis, treatment adherence, and addressing drug-resistant forms of TB.
- ●Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis, primarily affecting the lungs.
- ●India accounts for a significant portion of the global TB burden, making its elimination efforts crucial.
- ●The Indian government has set an ambitious target to eliminate TB by 2025.
- ●The National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP) is the flagship initiative for TB control and elimination in India.
Tuberculosis (TB)
Tuberculosis is a potentially serious infectious disease that primarily affects the lungs, but can also affect other parts of the body, such as the spine, brain, and kidneys. It is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis and spreads through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. While many people carry the bacteria without falling ill (latent TB), active TB disease can be fatal if not treated properly. Drug-resistant TB (MDR-TB, XDR-TB) poses a significant challenge.
Simple Analogy: Think of TB bacteria like tiny seeds that can float in the air. If someone with active TB coughs, these 'seeds' can be inhaled by others. Most people's bodies can fight off these seeds (latent TB), but in some, the seeds grow and cause illness (active TB), much like a plant growing from a seed.
National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP)
To achieve a TB-free India by 2025.
Key: Provides free diagnosis, treatment, and care for all TB patients, including drug-resistant cases. Formerly known as Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP).
Nikshay Poshan Yojana
To provide nutritional support to TB patients.
Key: Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) of ₹500 per month to all notified TB patients for the entire duration of their treatment.
Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan
To accelerate the progress towards TB elimination by engaging community support.
Key: Encourages individuals, organizations, and institutions to become 'Ni-kshay Mitras' and provide additional nutritional, diagnostic, and vocational support to TB patients.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), Government of India
Nodal ministry responsible for policy formulation, planning, and implementation of health programs, including NTEP.
World Health Organization (WHO)
Provides global leadership on health matters, sets norms and standards, and monitors global health trends, including TB.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
TB elimination is directly linked to SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), specifically target 3.3.
National Health Policy 2017
Emphasizes the importance of strengthening health systems and addressing communicable diseases like TB.
Ayushman Bharat
Provides health coverage and access to services, which can indirectly support TB diagnosis and treatment by reducing financial barriers.
Exam Relevance
GS Paper 2: Health, Government Policies and Interventions for Development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation. Prelims: Current events of national and international importance, Social Development.
General Awareness: Government Schemes, Diseases and their causes, Current Affairs.
General Awareness: Government Schemes, Current Affairs related to health and social sector.
General Science: Human Diseases, Current Affairs: Government initiatives.
General Knowledge: Current events, Health and Hygiene.
Previously Asked (PYQs)
Consider the following statements : 1. The India Sanitation Coalition is a platform to promote sustainable sanitation and is funded by the Government of India and the World Health Organization. 2. The National Institute of Urban Affairs is an apex body of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs in Government of India and provides innovative solutions to address the challenges of Urban India. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Answer: 2 only
Consider the following pairs: 1. Radhakanta Deb - First President of the British Indian Association 2. Gazulu Lakshminarasu Chetty - Founder of the Madras Mahajana Sabha 3. Surendranath Banerjee - Founder of the Indian Association Which of the above pairs is/are correctly matched?
Answer: 1 and 3 only
The Radcliffe Committee was appointed to
Answer: delimit the boundaries between India and Pakistan
Expected Questions
- ★UPSC may ask: 'Consider the following statements regarding India's National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP)...' testing knowledge of its objectives, components, and evolution.
- ★SSC/Banking may ask: 'What is the financial assistance provided under Nikshay Poshan Yojana?' or 'By which year does India aim to eliminate Tuberculosis?'
- ★Defence/Railway may ask: 'Tuberculosis is caused by which type of microorganism?' (basic science fact).
Topic Frequency
High. Public health, disease control, and government schemes are recurring themes in all competitive exams.
Key Terms
National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme
A web-enabled patient management system for TB control
Multi-Drug Resistant Tuberculosis
Extensively Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis
Must Remember
- •India's TB elimination target: 2025.
- •Nikshay Poshan Yojana provides ₹500/month for nutritional support.
- •NTEP is the national program, formerly RNTCP.
- •TB is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis and is airborne.
Exam Tips
- •Focus on the specific targets, names of schemes, and the financial/nutritional support provided.
- •Understand the difference between global and national targets for TB elimination.
- •Be aware of the causative agent and mode of transmission for TB for basic science questions.