Union Minister Jitendra Singh announces launch of “Dare to Erade TB” program for WGS TB surveillance


Dare to Erade TB: Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh while addressing the event on World TB Day 2022 announced the launch of “Dare to Erade TB” program.

Key Points:

  • The program will be based on the Indian data and the formation of the Genome Sequencing Consortium for Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) TB Surveillance.
  • Union minister said that Indian Tuberculosis Genomic Surveillance Consortium (InTGS) is proposed on lines of the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomic Consortia (INSACOG) for Whole Genome Sequencing, (WSG) TB surveillance.
  • He also stated that Dare2eraD TB will be the umbrella TB program of DBT comprising of following key initiatives-
  • InTGS - Indian Tuberculosis Genomic Surveillance Consortium;
  • InTBK Hub- Indian TB Knowledge Hub- Webinar Series;
  • Host Directed therapies against TB and developing an evidence-based regimen for treating extra-pulmonary Tuberculosis.
  • Dr. Jitendra Singh said that there is a need for a mass movement to get rid of Tuberculosis to realise dream of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi of a “TB Mukt Bharat” by year 2025.
  • Minister of State for Health Bharati Pravin Pawar noted in her speech at the event that the government has increased capacity for early detection and treatment of tuberculosis cases.
  • These capabilities, she said, have been reinforced through surveillance and contact tracing, and digital technology will effectively advise health personnel.
  • The well-performing district and states of the country were awarded by Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Health Minister, for improving the levels to eliminate Tuberculosis.

Tuberculosis in India:

  • Tuberculosis in India is one of the major public health problems of the country.
  • The World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that the largest tuberculosis epidemic in the world is in India.
  • In 2020, India had accounted for 26% of all TB-related cases worldwide.
  • There are 192 cases of TB found per 1,00,000 population in the country.

About Tuberculosis:

  • Tuberculosis is an infectious disease that mostly affects the lungs of those who are sick.
  • Sneezes and coughs emit microscopic droplets into the air, which carry tuberculosis-causing bacteria from one person to another.

 


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