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Zoonoses Journal Publishes Review of TB Control Strategies in India

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India’s Fight Against TB: From Control to Elimination

A new article in the journal Zoonoses reviews the evolution of tuberculosis control strategies in India, highlighting a critical shift in national ambition.

The Shift in Strategy

The review details the transition from the Revised National Tuberculosis Control Program (RNTCP) to the National Tuberculosis Elimination Program (NTEP) .

This change signals a fundamental shift in national health policy: moving the goal from simply controlling the disease to actively eliminating it.

Persistent Challenges

Despite significant progress in diagnosis and treatment, the article identifies several major hurdles that continue to impede success.

Drug-resistant TB (DR-TB), HIV co-infection, and significant gaps in the regulation of the private sector remain critical obstacles.

  • Drug-Resistant TB (DR-TB): A growing threat that requires more complex and expensive treatment regimens.
  • HIV Co-infection: The convergence of these two epidemics creates a particularly vulnerable patient population.
  • Private Sector Gaps: A lack of standardized reporting and treatment protocols in private healthcare facilities undermines national data and control efforts.

The COVID-19 Pandemic's Impact

The review also evaluates the severe disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to a significant drop in TB case notifications and interruptions in treatment for many patients.

The pandemic exposed the fragility of public health infrastructure and set back years of progress in case finding and management.

Global Context

While focusing on India, the review places these national efforts within the broader context of global TB control programs. Tuberculosis remains a leading infectious disease cause of death worldwide, with India bearing a significant portion of that burden.

The Core Problem

Despite diagnostic and therapeutic advancements, the article concludes that operational, infrastructural, and socioeconomic barriers remain the most persistent challenges to achieving a TB-free India.