A Parliamentary panel has expressed its concerns over “a sense of complacency” within the Union Health Ministry and the Government organisations responsible for implementing the TB elimination programme and instead suggested a string of measures such as a network of dedicated TB clinics and centres equipped with necessary diagnostic and treatment facilities with adequate manpower among others to ensure the target to eliminate the deadly infectious disease by 2025.
It is five years ahead of the global target 2030.
As India continues to be the most significant contributor to global TB incidence and approximately one-fourth of total cases i.E. Roughly 25 lakh out of 1.05 crore are reported in India, the panel suggested that it was doubtful to reach the elimination target.
The report pointed out that the shifting of responsibility to non-governmental organisations “eventually may impede the overall progress” of TB eradication.