In 2018, Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of India, made a pledge to wipe out tuberculosis (TB) from India before 2025, with an ambition to become a worldwide model for battling the disease. Initiated in December 2024, the country’s health minister spearheaded a “100-day campaign” with the aim of eradicating TB. However, recent statistics by the World Health Organization reveal that India is still far from reaching its target. In 2023 alone, India witnessed 2.5 to 3 million new infections and more than 400,000 deaths, making up a concerning third of the global TB cases and fatalities. Two significant challenges face the nation: a lack of TB treatments and the growing threat of multi-drug-resistant TB. Although treatments are available, the government’s sluggish process of approving these treatments for distribution has slowed down the progress, placing India at a critical point in its endeavor to combat the illness. This report is brought to you by Khansa Juned and Alban Alvarez of FRANCE 24.

Source: https://www.france24.com/en/tv-shows/focus/20250324-world-tuberculosis-day-india-s-endless-war-against-tb