NEW DELHI: The northeast is not new to fighting diseases, and government data also reflects the same with the number of tuberculosis (TB) case notifications at the lowest in five states and Union Territories. This group includes Manipur and Tripura, which registered fewer than 100 cases of TB per lakh population in 2024.
Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Anupriya Patel, pointed out that TB case notification rate up to December 8 in her reply in writing to a query raised by Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi in the Lok Sabha. Manipur recorded 64 cases per lakh population and was just above Kerala at 59 and Lakshadweep at 11. Among the northeastern states, the highest notification rate was found in Nagaland, followed by Mizoram, Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, and Tripura.
The World Health Organization defines case notifications as officially reported diagnosed cases. The government is adopting a multi-faceted approach in order to deal with TB, which is early diagnosis, timely treatment, and preventive measures. There are efforts on state and district-specific plans for high-burden areas, free drug and diagnostic provisions, and Rs 750 incentives for patients in tribal and remote regions. Decentralized TB screening through Ayushman Arogya Mandirs and private sector collaborations have further bolstered TB management.
Through the Indian Council of Medical Research, the government has invested significant amounts in TB research also. New diagnostic tools developed include AI-based X-ray reading and community-based handheld X-ray screening via line probe assays. Clinical trials regarding new vaccines for TB, adult BCG immunization and drugs used against multidrug-resistant TB are happening in the country as an effort to eradicate TB fully.
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