India has made big progress in the fight against tuberculosis (TB). Between 2015 and 2023, the number of TB cases dropped by 17.7%, from 237 to 195 cases per lakh people. This is twice the speed of progress seen in many other countries. However, India still has the highest number of TB cases in the world, so the goal of a TB-free India remains urgent.
To help with this, medical colleges across the country are playing a major role. India has 651 medical colleges, and nearly all of them are working with the National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP). These colleges have advanced labs and experts who are trained to deal with TB and related complications.
Out of these colleges, 336 have special centres that focus on treating drug-resistant TB, which is a more serious and harder-to-treat form of the disease. These centres use modern diagnostic tools and treatment methods, which has led to better care and results for TB patients.
In 2023, medical colleges were responsible for reporting nearly 14% of all TB cases in India. This shows that their role in the national TB fight is growing stronger and more effective.
By using their infrastructure, expertise, and training, these medical colleges are helping India improve TB detection and treatment. They are also setting a good example for how other disease control programmes can use existing healthcare systems to achieve better results.
With continued support and innovation, medical colleges can help India get much closer to its goal of becoming TB-free in the near future.
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