Tuberculosis described as the leading cause of mortality from an infectious disease goes back to ancient times. To combat this global epidemic of TB, every March 24 is observed as the World Tuberculosis Day by World Health Organisation.
‘The Clock is Ticking’ theme
This year’s World Tuberculosis Day 2021 theme is “The Clock is Ticking”. The reason for this theme is to lay stress on making sure that the public at large understands that they do not have the luxury of time in combating this killer disease. The statistics speak out loud and clear. According to the WHO fact sheet, a total of 1.4 million people died from TB in 2019, being one of the top 10 causes of death and the leading cause from a single infectious agent, ranking above HIV/AIDS.
The year also saw 30 high TB burden countries accounting for 87 per cent of new TB cases. Eight countries accounted for two-thirds of the total, with India topping the list, followed by Indonesia, China, the Philippines, Pakistan, Nigeria, Bangladesh and South Africa.
No wonder the theme also wants to be a wake-up call for world leaders who need to reiterate their resolve to fight this deadly menace. The situation has turned worse as the entire healthcare focus and resources have been diverted to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
PM’s call to eradicate TB by 2025
While one of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals is to end TB by 2030, India is setting itself a much higher target. Way back in 2018, Prime Minister Narendra Modi set a bold target for the country to launch a campaign to eradicate TB by 2025, five years ahead of the global deadline.
Launching the TB-free India Campaign, the PM stressed on the need to take activities under the National Strategic Plan for TB Elimination forward in a mission mode. While emphasizing on analyzing the situation to change the approach, he said State Governments need to play a major role in the elimination.
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Among the important steps taken by the Government includes introduction of Universal Drug Susceptibility Testing for all diagnosed TB patients, including patients in private sector and newer drug, Bedaquiline for DR-TB treatment under Conditional Access Programme.
Giving a real-time touch to the campaign, the Union Health Ministry launched an online portal called NIKSHAY for case-based monitoring and surveillance of notified TB patients. This also includes incentive payment through DBT mechanism and IT-enabled treatment adherence support-99 DOTS.
An important highlight of the Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme is providing free treatment by fixed dose anti-tuberculosis drugs to all patients. In order to help the marginal sections, incentives for nutritional and financial support to the TB patients, that is Rs. 500 per patient per month has been sanctioned.
Background of World Tuberculosis Day
March 24 commemorates the day in 1882 when Dr Robert Koch announced to the scientific community by addressing a small group of scientists at the University of Berlin's Institute of Hygiene his discovery of TB bacillus, the cause of tuberculosis. Talking about this historic occasion, Paul Steinbruck, who set up the Central Tuberculosis Research Institute in erstwhile GDR in Berlin-Buch mentions what Koch's colleague, Paul Ehrlich had said. "At this memorable session, Koch appeared before the public with an announcement which marked a turning-point in the story of a virulent human infectious disease. In clear, simple words Koch explained the etiology of tuberculosis with convincing force, presenting many of his microscope slides and other pieces of evidence."
In 1982, on the 100th anniversary of Koch's presentation, the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease proposed that March 24 be proclaimed the official World TB Day. In 1995, WHO and the Royal Netherlands Tuberculosis Foundation hosted the first World TB Day advocacy planning meeting in Den Haag, Netherlands.
Causes of TB
Mycobacterium tuberculosis is the specific bacterium that evolves inside the body leading to TB. Among the causes that lead to TB is weak immune system where the body becomes fragile and susceptible. Thus making newborns, children and senior citizens at a higher risk. Spreading in the air sacs, the bacterium passes off into the lungs, resulting in an infected immune system.
Besides coughing, sneezing, and even talking can release the mycobacterium in air, thus those breathing the air affected.
