Record-3: more quantum of solace
Thankfully, 2023 also saw Indian parliamentarians resonating the same level of commitment as the clarion call for a TB-Free India given by Indian Prime Minister. A Parliamentary Standing Committee Report that was presented to the Rajya Sabha and laid on the table of Lok Sabha on 21st September 2023, called upon the government to procure the #MadeInIndia and the WHO-recommended (one of its kind globally) point-of-care, decentralised and laboratory independent molecular test Truenat "in bulk and supply the same at the minimum block levels across the country as quickly as possible, later on, which may be extended to primary health centres also. This would aid in the earliest realisation of upfront molecular testing across the country, which curbs the missing TB cases and simplifies the detection of drug-resistant TB cases."
This report further recommended more investment in innovative TB diagnostic technologies. "Increased procurement of mobile diagnostic units with NAAT and hand-held x-rays for reaching out to remote or rural areas and other vulnerable areas" is in line with strong scientific evidence and already proven impact in active TB case finding worldwide.
Find all TB to stop TB
The WHO's highest level initiative that calls upon governments for replacing microscopy 100% with upfront molecular testing for TB by 2027, was also endorsed by world leaders who committed to end TB at this year's UN High Level meeting. This call to replace microscopy 100% with upfront molecular testing is also echoed by over 400 endorsers of the Global Call to 'Find All TB to Stop TB' that was launched in Goa, India on 3rd November 2023 - www.bit.ly/findalltb . Africa launch of this call took place at the largest AIDS conference in Africa on 8th December 2023 (22nd International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa).
This global call demands a paradigm shift from a lab-centric to a fundamentally people-centric model to find TB, leaving no one behind. It also reinforces the science-based call to reach the unreached by using point of care tools to screen and diagnose TB.
If we act upon this key ask, imagine the difference it will make when no TB case is missed, and all people with TB are brought in the care fold in a rights-based manner. A people-centric approach to find all TB, treat all TB, and prevent TB is critical to end TB.
When the going gets tough, the tough get going
India has made historic progress in scaling up molecular testing all across the country. With strongest political commitment at the highest level and recommendations enshrined in the recent parliamentary committee report, it is likely that 2024 could be a phenomenal year for finding all TB, treating all TB, and preventing all TB in India - a country which does not only have the highest TB burden but also a resolute will to build the strongest TB response to turn the tide and #endTB by 2025.
Shobha Shukla, Bobby Ramakant - CNS (Citizen News Service)
(Shobha Shukla and Bobby Ramakant lead the editorial team of CNS and are on the Board of Global AMR Media Alliance (GAMA) and Asia Pacific Media Alliance for Health and Development (APCAT Media). Follow them on Twitter: @shobha1shukla, @bobbyramakant)
- Shared under Creative Commons (CC)
Thankfully, 2023 also saw Indian parliamentarians resonating the same level of commitment as the clarion call for a TB-Free India given by Indian Prime Minister. A Parliamentary Standing Committee Report that was presented to the Rajya Sabha and laid on the table of Lok Sabha on 21st September 2023, called upon the government to procure the #MadeInIndia and the WHO-recommended (one of its kind globally) point-of-care, decentralised and laboratory independent molecular test Truenat "in bulk and supply the same at the minimum block levels across the country as quickly as possible, later on, which may be extended to primary health centres also. This would aid in the earliest realisation of upfront molecular testing across the country, which curbs the missing TB cases and simplifies the detection of drug-resistant TB cases."
This report further recommended more investment in innovative TB diagnostic technologies. "Increased procurement of mobile diagnostic units with NAAT and hand-held x-rays for reaching out to remote or rural areas and other vulnerable areas" is in line with strong scientific evidence and already proven impact in active TB case finding worldwide.
Find all TB to stop TB
The WHO's highest level initiative that calls upon governments for replacing microscopy 100% with upfront molecular testing for TB by 2027, was also endorsed by world leaders who committed to end TB at this year's UN High Level meeting. This call to replace microscopy 100% with upfront molecular testing is also echoed by over 400 endorsers of the Global Call to 'Find All TB to Stop TB' that was launched in Goa, India on 3rd November 2023 - www.bit.ly/findalltb . Africa launch of this call took place at the largest AIDS conference in Africa on 8th December 2023 (22nd International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa).
This global call demands a paradigm shift from a lab-centric to a fundamentally people-centric model to find TB, leaving no one behind. It also reinforces the science-based call to reach the unreached by using point of care tools to screen and diagnose TB.
When the going gets tough, the tough get going
India has made historic progress in scaling up molecular testing all across the country. With strongest political commitment at the highest level and recommendations enshrined in the recent parliamentary committee report, it is likely that 2024 could be a phenomenal year for finding all TB, treating all TB, and preventing all TB in India - a country which does not only have the highest TB burden but also a resolute will to build the strongest TB response to turn the tide and #endTB by 2025.
Shobha Shukla, Bobby Ramakant - CNS (Citizen News Service)
(Shobha Shukla and Bobby Ramakant lead the editorial team of CNS and are on the Board of Global AMR Media Alliance (GAMA) and Asia Pacific Media Alliance for Health and Development (APCAT Media). Follow them on Twitter: @shobha1shukla, @bobbyramakant)
- Shared under Creative Commons (CC)
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