Eliminating TB By 2025
According to the WHO (World Health Organisation), India carries the largest share of patients with Tuberculosis (TB). Despite it being a preventative and curable disease, TB continues to affect a large portion of the country. Experts discuss the nation's goal of eliminating the disease by 2025, how close we are to the goal, the challenges and the next steps.
Padma Shri awardee Dr Digambar Behera, Former Dean, Pulmonary Research Department, PGI, Chandigarh discusses the deeper socio-economic and political issues rooted in the spread of the disease. Malnutrition, overcrowding and diabetes play a role. He states, that, "TB has been a neglected disease" when it comes to research, funding and awareness.
For Girish Krishnamurty, MD & CEO, Tata Medical & Diagnostics part of the answer lies in diagnosis and monitoring. While the test for TB itself is 110 mins, it can take up to 10 days for patients to receive test results. Krishnamurty states that the methodology is in place, but the timing is off. The process needs to be better streamlined from diagnosis to treatment.
Ajay Bhatia, Commercial Head, VIATRIS, India states that the challenge still lies in early detection and prevention. Spreading awareness and bringing TB back into the public eye can help people detect early signs of the disease.
