By working seriously on the set target and increasing awareness among people, India has conquered many serious diseases in the last two decades. India's victory over polio attracted the attention of the whole world. In the same sequence, India is also working on the target of eradicating tuberculosis (TB) disease by the year 2025, although this path does not seem so easy.
This serious infection in the lungs affects millions of people around the world every year, this disease is also a cause of concern for India. The target was set to eliminate TB from India by next year, although its patients are increasing every year.
According to the data, 25.37 lakh TB cases were registered in India in the year 2023. Earlier in 2022, this disease was detected in about 24.22 lakh people. Most of the cases were reported by government health centers, and a large number of cases are also being diagnosed in the private sector. Not only this, health experts say, there may be a large number of people who have this disease but have not been diagnosed, which increases the risk of further increase in infection.
TB cases are increasing all over the world.
TB patients are being seen all over the world. The World Health Organization (WHO) said in a report that more than 8 million (80 lakh) people have been diagnosed with tuberculosis worldwide in the year 2023. This is the highest number of cases recorded since the United Nations health agency started keeping track in 1995. Earlier in 2022, WHO recorded 7.5 million (75 lakh) cases of TB. Last year, about 1.25 million (12.5 lakh) people have also died of TB.
The WHO said that most cases of TB are being seen in people of Southeast Asia, Africa, and the Western Pacific region.
WHO expressed concern
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a statement, that TB is still making so many people sick and causing millions of deaths, which is certainly worrying. We have the tools to prevent, detect, and treat it, yet this disease is increasing continuously, which is a worrying situation.
There has been a slight decline in the number of TB-related deaths. It has come down from 1.32 million (13.2 lakh) deaths in the year 2022 to 1.25 (12.5 lakh) in the year 2023, but the increase in the number of new infected is a serious matter.
About 25% of global TB cases in India
Talking about India, the cases reported here still account for about 25% of global TB. A study underlining the serious occupational risks in the health sector found that TB cases are much higher among health workers in India than in the general population.
Analysis of 10 different studies conducted between 2004 and 2023 showed that there are an average of 2,391.6 cases per one lakh health workers in India. TB is considered serious for health in many ways, due to which it is very important to keep taking preventive measures.
Know about TB infection.
TB is an infectious disease caused by bacteria called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It spreads mainly through airborne droplets. People with TB disease may be at risk of infection in other people nearby through droplets emitted by coughing or sneezing.
Health experts say, that if the problem of cough persists for more than two weeks and there is phlegm or blood, chest pain, weakness, or fatigue, then it can be a sign of TB. Apart from this, some people may also have problems with weight loss, loss of appetite, chills, fever, and night sweats due to TB. If you also have such symptoms, then get it checked immediately. If TB disease is treated timely, it can be completely cured.
(PC: Freepik)
