"These districts have surpassed 100 per cent screening coverage among vulnerable populations," said Dr A Rajesham, Joint Director, State TB Cell, ahead of World TB Day on March 24.
Hyderabad: Telangana is rolling out advanced drug regimens, AI-powered diagnostics, and targeted nutritional support to combat tuberculosis, which was long considered a persistent public health challenge.
According to India’s 2024 TB report, the country has seen a steady decline in tuberculosis cases — incidence rates falling from 237 to 195 per lakh population between 2015 and 2023, a 17.7 per cent reduction, while mortality rates dropped from 28 to 22 per lakh population.
According to pulmonologist Dr M. Rajeev, the drop in disease incidence and mortality figures show how India has progressed in TB eradication.
In Telangana, recent initiatives under the National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP) have taken a more aggressive approach to screening and treatment. A 100-day intensive campaign organised from December 9, 2024, identified over 4,600 new TB cases across nine districts — Adilabad, Bhadradri Kothagudem, Karimnagar, Mahbubnagar, Medak, Nagarkurnool, Peddapalli, Suryapet, and Wanaparthy.
"These districts have surpassed 100 per cent screening coverage among vulnerable populations," said Dr A Rajesham, Joint Director, State TB Cell, ahead of World TB Day on March 24.
"Telangana has also expanded its diagnostic capabilities, setting up two high-end TB laboratories in Adilabad and Hanamkonda alongside the existing facility in Hyderabad. Also, six AI-enabled handheld X-ray devices have been deployed in some districts to facilitate rapid, point-of-care screening," he added.
One of the most significant advancements in TB care is the introduction of the BPaLM regimen, a revolutionary drug-resistant TB (DR-TB) treatment. This new oral regimen replaces older, more toxic treatments that often required painful injections and caused severe side effects. By significantly shortening the treatment duration and improving patient adherence, BPaLM has given new hope to those battling MDR-TB.
Dr Bhanu Prasad, an infectious disease specialist at NIMS, explained that early detection and newer treatment methods are game-changers in controlling its spread. "Around 50 per cent of the population is exposed to TB already and is now being termed as latent TB, which can become active if immunity weakens due to malnutrition, diabetes, or other health conditions. The BCG vaccine, given at birth, provides protection against severe TB forms but does not prevent infection itself. Unlike in Western countries where latent TB is rare, India's burden is high and it is not feasible for us to conduct routine screening for the entire population," Dr Prasad said.
Newer diagnostic tools such as CBNAAT and TrueNAT have significantly improved TB detection, allowing for faster identification of drug-resistant cases. These molecular tests help determine whether the TB strain is resistant to first-line drugs like rifampicin, ensuring that the right treatment is started without delay. In Telangana, these tests have been conducted extensively as part of the 100-day campaign.
For drug-sensitive TB, treatment follows a structured six-month regimen, with an intensive phase using four drugs—isoniazid, rifampicin, pyrazinamide, and ethambutol—followed by a continuation phase with three drugs. MDR-TB, which previously required prolonged treatment with severe side effects, can now be managed more effectively with the BPaLM regimen, drastically improving patient recovery rates.
More importantly, women tend to go unscreened and undiagnosed until an advanced stage of the disease manifests. "One in ten Indian women is estimated to suffer from TB. While men receive timely treatment, women often face delayed diagnosis, neglect, and discrimination upon TB diagnosis. Many husbands abandon their wives, and families isolate them due to TB stigma. If a woman has a persistent cough, it should not be dismissed as trivial. Immediate medical evaluation and treatment are essential," concluded Dr Rajeev.
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The problem
TB spreads through airborne droplets released when an infected person coughs or sneezes, making transmission particularly high in crowded spaces.
Common symptoms include fever, weight loss, loss of appetite, persistent cough with sputum, and chest pain.
If the infection spreads beyond the lungs, for example, to the brain, symptoms may include seizures, headaches, vomiting, or swelling of the lymph nodes.
Around 50 per cent of the population is exposed to TB and is termed latent TB. Disease can become active if immunity weakens.
New hope
A significant advancement is the BPaLM regimen for drug-resistant TB. The oral regimen replaces older, more toxic treatments and shortens treatment duration.
Newer diagnostic tools such as CBNAAT and TrueNAT have significantly improved TB detection.
Mobile TB testing vehicles and digital X-ray have strengthened the fight against the disease.
