Every Breath Counts: Commit, Invest, Deliver to Combat Tuberculosis

Edinbox Exclusive Story on World TB Day – 24th March 2025

"The aspiration to end tuberculosis by 2025 can look daunting, but together and with determination, we can definitely move in that direction. This World TB Day, let us pledge to come together, commit, invest, and deliver." – Dr. Amit Dias

Why We Celebrate World TB Day

World Tuberculosis (TB) Day is celebrated every year on 24th March to mark Dr. Robert Koch's historic finding in 1882 of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacterium causing TB. His finding led to the diagnosis and treatment of the disease. Ever since, we have come a long way in fighting TB, but the battle is not yet won.

The Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) targets for the elimination of TB are:

80% decrease in TB incidence

90% decrease in TB mortality

Zero TB patients experiencing catastrophic costs because of the disease

Although Dr. Koch was unable to find a cure for TB, we now have effective and cost-free treatment. Nevertheless, early diagnosis is important, and individuals need to identify symptoms and access timely medical care.

TB is Treatable: Remember the TREAT Approach

On this World TB Day, let's utilize the acronym TREAT to highlight the journey towards elimination of TB:

 T – Test for TB• Testing involves sputum testing by CBNAAT, chest X-rays, and other diagnostic equipment.• Early detection is critical to effective treatment.

R – Recognise the Signs• A cough of over two weeks, unexplained weight loss, night sweats, or fever may be an indication of TB.• Delaying diagnosis makes the disease worse and spreads it.

 E – Educate & Eat Well• Having knowledge about transmission and prevention of TB is needed.• A good diet with full nutrients builds one's immunity and helps in quicker recovery.

A – Adhere to Antibiotics• TB is curable, but incomplete treatment leads to drug-resistant TB.• Always follow the doctor’s prescription and never skip doses.

 T – Take the Full Course• TB treatment lasts at least six months, even if symptoms improve earlier.• Stopping medication prematurely can cause severe, drug-resistant TB.

India’s Fight Against TB: A 100-Day Mission

On 7th December 2024, the 100-Day TB Elimination Campaign was launched by the Government of India under the National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP) to speed up progress toward a TB-free India by 2025. 

What Does TB Elimination Mean?

Reducing TB incidence to less than one case per million per year.

The whole world is committed to ending TB by 2030, but India has made it its target for 2025.

Where We Stand: The Current Status of TB in India

Progress in TB Control• India is accelerating decline in TB incidence compared to the global average.• Between 2015 and 2022, TB incidence reduced by 16%, and deaths due to TB decreased by 18%.

TB Burden in India (2022 Data, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare)• Estimated Incidence: 2.82 million new TB cases (199 cases per 100,000 population).• Estimated Mortality: 331,000 deaths (23 deaths per 100,000 population).• India has 26% of the world's TB cases (out of 10.6 million global TB cases).

Understanding TB: Causes, Spread, and Drug Resistance

TB is brought about by the bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis and usually attacks the lungs (Pulmonary TB) but can affect the kidneys, spine, brain, lymph nodes, or intestines (Extrapulmonary TB).

How TB is spread TB germs are released into the air when a person with TB coughs, sneezes, speaks, or sings. Other people breathe in these germs and can become infected.

Why Multiple Drugs are NecessaryMany TB patients question why they need multiple medications. The answer: Each drug works differently to kill the bacteria, shorten treatment duration, and prevent drug resistance. Stopping treatment early creates drug-resistant TB, which is much harder to treat. Fortunately, newer drugs have improved treatment outcomes for resistant TB.

This year's World TB Day theme, "Yes! We Can End TB: Commit, Invest, Deliver," highlights the importance of:

Commitment – Increasing national and international efforts.

Investment – Diverting resources towards the prevention and treatment of TB.

Delivery – Making TB services available to everyone affected.

Ending TB by 2025 is ambitious, but achievable. Together—governments, health providers, and communities—we can make this dream a reality.

Thank you, Dr. Amit Dias, MD for cooperating with the Edinbox Team and sharing information on TB. Dr. Dias is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Preventive and Social Medicine. He is a holder of a DTM&H in Tropical Medicine at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and at present heads the Urban Health Training Centre (UHTC), St. Cruz. He is engaged in research on extrapulmonary TB in Goa under an Operational Research Project under NTEP