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Pulmonology

History, significance and theme of World Tuberculosis Day 2022

by Vaishali Sharma
written by Vaishali Sharma

Tuberculosis (TB) is a dangerous lung illness caused by a bacteria that spreads by small droplets in the air exhaled during coughs or sneezes. While Johann Schonlein developed the word TB in 1834, the infection is thought to have existed for 3 million years, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the United States (CDC).

History of World Tuberculosis Day: The virus was so lethal that it was dubbed the “white plague” in the 1700s owing to the sufferers’ pale appearance. On March 24, 1882, Dr. Robert Koch discovered the bacteria that caused TB. After a century, the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease requested that the day be designated as World Tuberculosis Day.

Theme of World Tuberculosis Day 2022: This year’s theme is ‘Invest to End TB. Save Lives,’ emphasising the need of investing resources to battle the virus and meeting pledges to end it. The struggle has taken on added significance in light of Covid-19, which has hampered advances in TB treatment and research. In addition, the topic assures access to prevention and treatment in order to reach the United Nations Health Organization’s goal of Universal Health Coverage.

The significance of World Tuberculosis Day: Tuberculosis affects roughly 2 billion people worldwide. According to World Health Organization data, 10.4 million people had TB in 2016, and 1.7 million died as a result of the disease.

However, due to several misunderstandings, it is not seen as a significant issue. Raising awareness of the virus can aid in the treatment of those who are at high risk. If at-risk people are effectively vaccinated, the illness might be cured and TB eradicated.

In 2020, during the Covid-19 pandemic, 10 million people were afflicted with TB, with 1.5 million deaths. It was the 13th leading cause of mortality and the second leading cause of death among infectious disorders after Covid-19.

The most common type of TB is pulmonary tuberculosis, which affects the lungs, but extrapulmonary tuberculosis affects other parts of the body and is more frequent in persons with weakened immune systems, making it difficult to keep the infection isolated in one location.

TB symptoms that are common

Tuberculosis symptoms differ based on where the bacteria are growing in the body. Tuberculosis is caused by germs that develop in the lungs (pulmonary TB). Dr. Harish Chafle describes the signs and symptoms of tuberculosis.

The following are signs of TB in the lungs:

  • A severe cough that lasts three weeks or more
  • Chest discomfort
  • Coughing up blood or sputum is a sign that something is wrong (phlegm from deep inside the lungs)

Other symptoms of TB disease are

  • Weakness or fatigue
  • Weight loss
  • No appetite
  • Chills
  • Fever
  • Sweating at night

 

 

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tuberculosis
MOHFW news

‘We want to make this country TB-free by 2025’: Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya

by Vaishali Sharma
written by Vaishali Sharma

Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said on Monday that the government aims to make country TB-free (tuberculousis) by 2025. According to data provided by the Union health ministry in Lok Sabha in the last week, India reported 1.8 million TB cases between January and December 2020 as compared to 2.4 million the year before.

Mansukh Mandaviya said, “Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, definition of health has been comprehensive. “In coming days, India will achieve its target of making health sector more robust,” he added.

Apart from him Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla also said time has come to end deadly diseases in this country. “We need to make collective efforts to win against TB, poverty and malnutrition are two main reasons for TB,” he added saying elected representatives need to ensure steps for the eradication of the disease.

According to Centre’s report, There was nearly a 25% reduction in the number of tuberculosis (TB) cases reported in 2020 as compared to the previous year, which experts believe was mainly due to Covid-19-related lockdowns and other restrictions that kept people away from healthcare facilities.

While India’s first Covid-19 case was reported in January-end in 2020, the infection started spreading only in March that year. A nationwide lockdown was implemented on March 24 to curb the spread of the virus.

Directly Observed Therapy (DOT) is the mainstay of the TB programme where medicines are given under the supervision of a healthcare worker at the health centre. However, during the pandemic, patients were given medicines for one month together to help them continue with their treatment and teleconsultations were held to ensure compliance.

Experts fear that the undiagnosed cases of TB could facilitate the spread of the infection, but wearing of masks by a majority of the population might have an unintended but pleasant impact.

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National & International News

Dr Harsh Vardhan delivers Keynote Address at the India TB Summit

by Vaishali Sharma
written by Vaishali Sharma
dr harsh vardhan
“Last year, the government disbursed more than ₹ 249.43 cr to over 11.10 lakh patients as nutrition support under Nikshay Poshan Yojana” says Union Health Minister.

Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare delivered the keynote address at the India TB Summit through video-conference, here today. The summit was organized to highlight the global and national prevalence of Tuberculosis in the run up to World TB Day celebrations on 24th March, 2021.

Detailing about the National TB Elimination Programme’s ambitious National Strategic Plan (NSP) to achieve the said target by 2025, he said, “The NSP embraces bold strategies with commensurate resources to rapidly decline TB incidence and mortality. NTEP has instituted many innovations such as contracting of Patient Provider Support Agencies (PPSAs) to enhance engagement with the private sector, strengthening community engagement through TB Forums at the National, State and District levels, and integrating TB services across all levels in the Health System, including the Ayushman Bharat- Health & Wellness Centres, thereby, making TB an essential part of Comprehensive Primary Health Care.”

He also spoke on the new initiatives taken at sub-national level to strengthen community level engagement and to make it a part of Comprehensive Primary Health Care:  
i. Through enhanced access to molecular diagnostics by decentralizing CBNAAT and TruNat services, India has enabled earlier detection of drug resistance.      
ii. Through Active Case Finding, India has reached out to the unreached and vulnerable groups. Sub-national surveillance of TB and disease-free certification has been introduced, wherein States/Districts that have achieved significant reduction in incidence of TB from 2015 baselines were assessed and have been likewise awarded Bronze, Silver, Gold and even TB Free certifications.         
iii. India has established TB Forums which provide a common platform to govt officials, physicians, civil society and representatives from patient groups to discuss all concerns pertaining to service delivery and patient care.

Dr. Harsh Vardhan concluded his address expressing optimism that the support of all stakeholders and collaborations across all the sectors will eradicate TB by 2025, living up to the slogan, “TB Haarega Desh Jeetega.” He wished the India TB Summit a great success.

Dr Soumya Swaminathan, Chief Scientist, WHO, Dr. Zarir Udwadia, PD Hinduja Hospital, Dr. Naresh Trehna, Medanta Medicity, Dr. Madhukar Pai, McGill University, Dr. Anil Koul, Vice President & Head, Global Public Health & Infectious Discovery Research, Johnson & Johnson were present in the meeting.  Many MDR TB survivors and patient advocates were also present.

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