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.