TB remains India’s biggest infectious killer, but mass screening push shows results | India News
NEW DELHI: India may be making progress against tuberculosis, but the scale of the challenge remains – accounting for nearly a quarter of the world’s TB cases even as millions of infections remain undiagnosed.According to the Tuberculosis Fact Sheet 2026 published by the Centre, Tuberculosis continues to be India’s biggest infectious disease challenge. India contributes about 25% of the global TB burden, with five countries together accounting for more than half of all cases worldwide.At the World TB Day 2026 national launch event in Greater Noida, Union Health Minister JP Nadda said India is on track to eradicate TB ahead of the global target, driven by a “mass participation” approach led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He noted a 21% reduction in TB incidence and a 25% reduction in deaths between 2015 and 2024, with treatment coverage now at 92%.Recent data support this trend. Treatment success rates rose to nearly 90%, while more than 26 lakh cases were notified in 2024, reflecting the highest ever, robust detection efforts.A major push came from the TB Free India campaign, which focused on identifying hidden and high-risk cases. More than 20 crore people have been screened, resulting in the detection of more than 32 lakh TB patients, including a large number of asymptomatic cases. Nadda said intensive case-finding has reduced undetected cases from 10 lakh to below one lakh.He also announced a 100-day intensive campaign covering 1.58 lakh villages and urban wards, while also launching an AI-enabled TB Mukt Bharat app to improve access to care and treatment tracking.The fact sheet highlights that TB is closely linked to poverty, malnutrition and living conditions, with economically disadvantaged populations at higher risk. People with diabetes, HIV, smokers, alcohol users and people living in crowded places are especially susceptible. At the same time, drug-resistant TB remains a concern, with more than 55,000 cases reported in 2024, requiring longer and more complex treatments.Despite progress, gaps remain. About 64% of people with TB symptoms do not seek care due to stigma, lack of awareness, or affordability issues, leading to delayed diagnosis and continued transmission.
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To combat this, the government has combined community outreach with technology. Initiatives like the Ni-Kshay Mitra program have mobilized volunteers to provide nutrition and social support, while digital tools like the TB Mukt Bharat app are helping to streamline care.Emphasizing increased funding and indigenous innovations like TrueNat, Nadda said TB is preventable and curable, stressing the need to reduce stigma and ensure early diagnosis and treatment.Health officials underscore that TB symptoms go beyond a persistent cough and can include fever, weight loss, fatigue, chest pain and night sweats, making early testing important.
