Tuberculosis
Context:
24th March every year is observed as the World Tuberculosis (TB) Day to spread awareness about the disease and how best to combat it.
Relevance:
GS-02 (Health)
Facts for Prelims:
- India’s target for TB elimination is by 2025.
- Global Target for TB elimination is 2030.
- Theme for 2023 was: Yes! We can end TB!
- Dr. Robert Koch’s was the one who announced the discovery of Mycobacterium tuberculosis that is responsible for TB.
- WHO also releases the Global Tuberculosis Report.
Mains Question:
Discuss the global impact of tuberculosis. What are the measures undertaken by India to combat this ancient disease. (250 words)
Dimensions of the Article:
- What is TB?
- Understanding TB
- Global Impact
- BCG vaccine
- Related Initiatives and Way Forward
What is TB?
- Tuberculosis (TB) is a contagious bacterial infection.
- It mainly affects lungs but also has potential to impact other parts of the body.
- It primarily affects the lungs(Pulmonary TB).
- It can also affect other organs too (extra-Pulmonary TB).
- It is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
- TB spreads through air when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
- Symptoms: Persistent cough, chest pain, weight loss, and fatigue.
Understanding TB:
- It is an ancient disease that traces back that affects millions worldwide.
- The earliest written records of TB date back 3,300 years in India and 2,300 years ago in China. Hence, it must be viewed not only as a medical issue but also as a social, economic, and gendered challenge.
Global Impact:
- TB is a global health concern with India itself reporting a high burden.
- 1.8 million TB cases were reported in 2019 in India (One of the top countries with high TB burden).
- However, the number of tuberculosis patients fell marginally to 2.23 million in 2023, from 2.42 million in 2022.
- MultiDrug Resistant Tuberculosis (MDR-TB) raises another daunting challenge to TB control efforts.
- MDR-TB is a variant of tuberculosis.
- It is immune to the two primary first-line medications for TB treatment.
- XDR-TB- is a type of tuberculosis caused by bacteria resistant to multiple potent anti-TB drugs.
- The BCG vaccine, developed in the early 20th century, is used worldwide to prevent TB.
BCG Vaccine:
- BCG, or bacille Calmette-Guerin, is a vaccine for tuberculosis (TB) disease.
- It is named after its inventors Albert Calmette and Camille Guérin.
- BCG also has some effectiveness against Buruli ulcer infection and other nontuberculous mycobacterial infections.
- It is sometimes used as part of the treatment of bladder cancer as well.
- The BCG vaccine was first used medically in 1921.
- It is on the World Health Organization’s List of Essential Medicines.
Related Initiatives and Way Forward:
- The WHO has launched initiatives like “Find. Treat. All. #EndTB” to tackle TB globally.
- India has implemented the National Strategic Plan for Tuberculosis Elimination and launched campaigns like “TB Harega Desh Jeetega”.
- Ongoing research is focused on developing new vaccines and treatment options for TB.
- India must also prioritise person-centred care, address social determinants of health, and embrace innovation to eliminate TB.
