In a significant development, Prime Minister Modi addressed the rising global health crisis of tuberculosis (TB) during a recent assembly, emphasizing the urgent need for international cooperation and dialogue. With a staggering 1.23 million people succumbing to TB in 2024, the situation has become increasingly dire.
According to recent reports, an estimated 10.7 million individuals fell ill with TB worldwide last year, marking TB as the leading cause of death from a single infectious agent. The Prime Minister highlighted that despite TB being preventable and curable, only about 2 in 5 people with drug-resistant TB accessed treatment in 2024.
Modi’s remarks come in the context of a broader public health crisis, where individuals living with HIV are 12 times more likely to develop TB. In 2024 alone, approximately 150,000 people died of HIV-associated TB, underscoring the intersection of these two health challenges.
“India has always stood for peace in the interest of humanity and dialogue and diplomacy are the only solutions to this problem,” Modi stated, reinforcing the nation’s commitment to addressing global health issues through collaborative efforts.
The Prime Minister also assured that the government is ensuring smooth supplies of essential resources such as petrol, diesel, oil, gas, and fertilizers, which are critical in the fight against TB and other health crises.
Globally, only 61% of the estimated number of people living with HIV who developed TB received antiretroviral therapy (ART) in 2024, highlighting significant gaps in healthcare access. The WHO South-East Asia Region accounted for 34% of new TB cases, indicating a pressing need for targeted interventions.
As India expands its energy import sources from 27 to 41 countries over the past 11 years, the government is also focusing on enhancing healthcare infrastructure to combat TB effectively.
With an annual requirement of US$ 22 billion for TB prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and care, the international community is urged to unite in the fight against this preventable disease.
As reactions to Modi’s statements continue to unfold, the global health community remains vigilant, recognizing the urgent need for action against TB and the importance of international solidarity in addressing such challenges.
Details remain unconfirmed.
