Containing TB: Screening gaps threaten gains

INDIA’s latest tuberculosis data offers a picture of notable progress intertwined with persistent challenges. The country has recorded a 21 per cent decline in TB incidence over the last decade, almost double the global average. Treatment coverage has risen sharply and mortality has fallen. The gains are supported by an expanded diagnostic network, community-led detection drives, nutritional assistance and technology-driven monitoring systems such as the Nikshay portal. Yet, India remains the epicentre of the global TB crisis, carrying the world’s highest burden of the disease. Drug-resistant TB remains a scourge as new cases continue to burden the system. Funding too has become a constraint, with global donor support stalled even as domestic costs rise. Diagnostic gaps persist, especially in rural areas where healthcare infrastructure is weak. Undernutrition and comorbidities like diabetes further fuel the risk of reactivation, complicating elimination efforts. While India’s goal of eliminating TB by 2025 was an ambitious target, current trends show that sustained effort much beyond the deadline will be necessary.