Closing In On TB
(Source: The Indian Express, Editorial Page)
Also Read: The Indian Express Editorial Analysis: 04 July 2025
Also Read: The Hindu Editorial Analysis: 04 July 2025
| Topic: GS Paper 2: Issues Related to Health, Government Schemes; GS Paper 3: Science and Technology – Health, Biotech Innovations |
| Context |
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Closing In On TB: India’s Strategic Push Towards Tuberculosis Elimination
- Tuberculosis remains one of India’s most pressing public health challenges.
- Despite being curable and preventable, TB still affects millions, often remaining undiagnosed until advanced stages.
- In this editorial, Dr. Soumya Swaminathan, former Chief Scientist at WHO and Chairperson of the NTEP Advisory Board, explains how next-generation diagnostics and public health innovations can bridge the treatment gap and eliminate TB by 2025.
India’s Progress: Numbers that Matter
- According to the WHO’s Global TB Report 2024, global TB incidence fell by 8.3% between 2015 and 2023.
- India outpaced this decline, achieving a 17.7% case reduction, showcasing the impact of NTEP-driven initiatives.
- This progress underscores India’s policy commitment, effective grassroots strategies, and growing technological ecosystem.
The Diagnostic Gap: The Weakest Link
- In 2023, around 2.7 million TB patients globally went undiagnosed or unnotified, breaking the treatment chain.
- A large share of TB patients in India remain asymptomatic (subclinical TB) and thus escape conventional screening methods.
- Studies estimate that 50% of active TB cases in high-burden countries like India remain undetected at early stages, perpetuating transmission cycles.
- Without diagnosis, no treatment is possible, and TB silently spreads, especially in densely populated urban and rural areas.
Innovations in Diagnostics: A Game-Changer
India is investing heavily in point-of-care technologies that can revolutionize TB diagnosis and treatment:
- Non-sputum-based sampling – tongue swabs, nasal swabs, and urine-based tests are less invasive and more acceptable, especially for children and elderly.
- AI-assisted digital X-rays – automate interpretation, identify subtle lung abnormalities, and enable quick triage during mass screenings.
- Portable PCR and molecular platforms – available at Primary Health Centres (PHCs), reducing the delay between testing and treatment.
- Cloud-enabled diagnostics – integrate test data into national dashboards (e.g., Nikshay portal) for real-time disease surveillance.
TB Vaccine: The Missing Piece in the Puzzle
While diagnosis and treatment are advancing, a long-term solution lies in vaccine development:
The experience of Covid-19 vaccine development offers a roadmap — marked by:
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Global collaboration
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Public-private investment
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Streamlined regulatory approvals
• India, with its strong manufacturing base (Serum Institute, Bharat Biotech) and scientific capacity, is well-placed to lead the global TB vaccine initiative.
• The government must incentivize mRNA and recombinant vaccine R&D, mirroring its Covid-19 strategy.
Integrated Health Delivery Approach
TB elimination is being integrated with other health services:
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Nutritional support via Nikshay Poshan Yojana
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Primary healthcare and immunization platforms
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Maternal and child healthcare schemes
• Individual TB risk profiles guide personalized treatment plans, hospital referrals, and early intervention to prevent severe cases.
Way Forward/Conclusion
- India’s fight against TB is at a pivotal moment.
- While diagnostic and technological gains have brought millions into the treatment net, the absence of a universal TB vaccine remains a critical vulnerability.
- With political will, data-driven governance, and investment in next-gen diagnostics and vaccines, India can not only meet its 2025 TB elimination goal but also set a global standard in public health leadership.
TB vs COVID-19 Vaccine Strategy
| Aspect | TB Elimination | Covid-19 Response |
|---|---|---|
| Diagnostic Tools | AI-enabled X-rays, PCR, non-sputum tests | Rapid antigen tests, RT-PCR kits |
| Vaccine Availability | No fully developed TB vaccine yet | Multiple vaccines developed and deployed rapidly |
| Public-Private Collaboration | Emerging but not fully leveraged | Extensive public-private partnerships |
| Regulatory Pathways | Conventional, often slow | Fast-tracked approvals through emergency use authorization |
| Funding Mechanisms | Limited R&D incentives for TB vaccines | Massive funding via PM CARES and global institutions |
| Practice Question: (GS-2 | 15 Marks | 250 Words) Discuss how innovation and vaccine development can help India achieve its TB elimination goal under the NTEP. |
