Abstract :
Introduction: Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the most deadliest infectious diseases in the world, causing 1.6 million deaths annually, with India reporting the highest number of cases. In 2022, India accounted for 26% of the world’s TB cases, with a high prevalence rate of 316 per 100,000 people. The rise in multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) further complicates the situation. The Indian government has set an ambitious goal to eliminate TB by 2025 through its National Strategic Plan. However, challenges such as underreporting, access to treatment, stigma, and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic continue to hinder progress.
Materials and Methods: A narrative review was conducted to assess this challenges and progress in TB elimination in India from 2012 to 2024. Articles were sourced from databases like PubMed, Scopus, NHM & WHO reports, focusing on TB epidemiology, challenges & strategies. The review included studies published in English, while excluding irrelevant studies or those lacking methodological rigor. Data on TB incidence, prevalence, challenges, and interventions were extracted and analyzed. The review synthesizes findings qualitatively, evaluating trends and progress towards India’s 2025 TB elimination goal.
Observation: The results of this narrative review highlighted the persistent burden of tuberculosis (TB) in India, despite various government efforts. Key challenges include underreporting, diagnostic delays, and the rise of drug-resistant strains. Socio-economic factors, stigma, and limited healthcare access further hinder control. The findings emphasize the need for enhanced public awareness, improved healthcare infrastructure, better treatment adherence, and a multi-pronged approach to address the burden of latent TB infection (TBI) to achieve significant progress in TB control & meet the 2025 TB elimination target.
Conclusion: In conclusion, while India faces significant challenges in combating tuberculosis, including underreporting, MDR-TB, and gaps in healthcare infrastructure, its ambitious goal of TB elimination by 2025 remains achievable. Continued efforts in enhancing diagnostic tools, improving treatment access, and addressing socio-economic factors are crucial for success. India’s progress could serve as a global model in the fight against tuberculosis.
Keyword :
Tuberculosis (TB), Multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB), TB elimination, India, Healthcare infrastructure.