India's National TB Prevalence Survey (2019-2021) showed that almost half of TB patients were only found because of an X-Ray as they were asymptomatic back then. That is why it is vital to find people with active TB disease early on (symptomatic or asymptomatic) so that they can be put on the right treatment (and those with lung TB may become non-infectious soon after starting an effective treatment).
Dr Nair said that India's 100 days campaign heralds a major programmatic shift to find more TB (early and accurately) among those who are a higher risk.
Along with this, we have to advance progress on all other SDG goals and targets, especially for those most likely to be left behind: such as, achieving the goals of zero hunger, zero poverty, prevention and control NCDs, ending tobacco and alcohol use, ending AIDS, among others.
India Innovation Summit which was attended by over 900 people showcased over 300 innovations (almost all made in India) to prevent TB, screen TB, diagnose TB, treat TB and community-led interventions that are making (or could potentially make) a major difference.
Bobby Ramakant - CNS (Citizen News Service)
(Bobby Ramakant is a World Health Organization (WHO) Director General WNTD Awardee 2008 and Health Editor at CNS (Citizen News Service). He is also on the executive boards of Global Antimicrobial Resistance Media Alliance (GAMA) and Asia Pacific Media Alliance for Health and Development (APCAT Media). Follow him on Twitter/X: @BobbyRamakant)
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