WHO Commends India for Significant Progress in Reducing Tuberculosis Cases and Mortality Rates

The World Health Organization has recognised India's efforts in reducing tuberculosis cases and mortality rates. Despite ongoing challenges, the narrowing detection gap reflects positive developments in the fight against TB across the South-East Asia Region.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has commended India for its progress in combating tuberculosis (TB), noting a reduction in the detection gap. WHO South-East Asia highlighted improvements in TB-related mortality rates in India. The Global Tuberculosis Report 2025 from WHO indicates that the TB burden in 2024 varied across the South-East Asia Region.

Myanmar and Timor-Leste reported high TB incidence rates, with figures around 480-500 per lakh population, placing them among the highest globally. Meanwhile, countries like India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, and Thailand showed incidence rates between 146 and 269 per 100,000 people. This reflects a steady but slow decline in cases.

TB Incidence and Mortality Rates

In terms of absolute numbers, India had an estimated 2.71 million TB cases, followed by Bangladesh with 384,000 cases. Myanmar accounted for 263,000 cases, Thailand for 104,000, and Nepal for 67,000. Encouraging gains were observed in several countries as Bangladesh, India, and Thailand reported a large proportion of estimated cases, reducing detection gaps.

Despite substantial TB-related mortality, improvements have been noted in several member states. India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, and Thailand have seen declines in estimated deaths due to TB since 2015. This progress is attributed to the recovery of essential TB services post-COVID-19.

Challenges and Regional Impact

The overall pace of decline remains insufficient to meet the End TB milestones set for 2025. In 2024 alone, 10.7 million people developed TB globally, with 1.23 million succumbing to the disease. The South-East Asia Region accounts for more than one-third of new TB cases worldwide annually.

Drug-resistant TB poses a significant threat with an estimated 150,000 new cases in 2024. The region has reduced TB incidence by 16% since 2015, surpassing the global average reduction of 12%. However, the region's TB incidence rate of 201 per lakh people remains higher than the global average of 131.

Efforts and Recommendations

Tuberculosis continues to impact health security and development across South-East Asia, affecting the poorest communities most severely. Dr Catharina Boehme from WHO South-East Asia stated that early detection, rapid treatment, prevention, and strong primary health care are effective strategies.

The region has achieved significant gains: treatment coverage exceeds 85%, and success rates are among the highest globally. Preventive therapy for individuals living with HIV and household contacts has expanded significantly beyond global averages.

Addressing Risk Factors

Undernutrition and diabetes remain top risk factors for TB in the region, contributing to nearly 850,000 new cases annually. Almost half of all families affected by TB face catastrophic costs while funding for TB programmes has stalled.

WHO emphasised the importance of protecting and expanding essential TB services by integrating them into primary health care systems. Strengthening social protection through nutrition support, cash transfers, and transport assistance is crucial.

The South-East Asia Region has demonstrated that progress is achievable through leadership and collaboration. "We have the tools to end TB," said Dr Boehme. "The time to act decisively is now."

With inputs from PTI