Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan released the annual TB Report 2020 through a virtual event.
- According to the report, over 24 lakh TB patients have been notified in 2019. This amounts to a 14 percent increase in TB notification as compared to 2018. Near-complete on-line notification of TB patients have been achieved through the NIKSHAY system. There has been a reduction in the number of missing cases to 2.9 lakh cases as against more than 10 lakhs in 2017.
- Private sector notifications increased by 35 percent with 6.78 lakh TB patients notified. Due to easy availability of molecular diagnostics, the proportion of children diagnosed with TB increased to 8 percent in 2019 compared to 6 percent in 2018. Provision of HIV testing for all notified TB patients increased from 67 percent in 2018 to 81 percent in 2019. Expansion of treatment services has resulted in a 12 percent improvement in the treatment success rate of notified patients.
- The Minister also released a Joint Monitoring Mission report, a manual on Direct Benefit Transfer to TB patients under NIKSHAY system, a Training Module, and the quarterly newsletter NIKSHAY Patrika. He said, there is a need to come together to fight against TB and the stigma surrounding it so that every TB patient can seek care with dignity and without discrimination. He said, the community must act as a wellspring of support and comfort for the patients
Key Notes: Best performing states and UTs as per report
Larger states with more than 50 lakh population
1) Gujarat
2) Andra Pradesh
3) Himachal Pradesh
Smaller states with less than 50 lakh population
1) Tripura
2) Nagaland
Union Territory
1) Dadra and Nagar Haveli
2) Daman & Diu
Courtesy: Newsonair