MANAGEMENT OF TUBERCULOSIS IN INDIA - NTEP GUIDELINES

Abstract

The year 2019 saw an estimate by WHO that 10 million fresh cases of TB emerged globally, with a staggering 97% of them emerging in low- & middle-income countries.^[1] Among these cases, 57% were seen in men, 32% in women, and the remaining 11% in children. Shockingly, approximately 1.4 million fatalities were recorded due to TB that year, including around 0.21 million among individuals co-infected with HIV. In India, the burden of tuberculosis infection (TBI) is believed to be the highest globally, with an estimated range of 35-400 million individuals living with TBI. Of these numbers, roughly 2.6 million are reported as tuberculosis (TB) cases annually. TB ranks as the 13th leading cause of death on a global scale and continues to plague HIV-infected individuals. Management, diagnosis quality, and treatment services for tuberculosis under the program are provided free of charge nationwide with the vision of achieving a TB-free India by 2025. The typical drug regimen for Tuberculosis includes an intensive two-month phase followed by a four-month continuation phase. However, the duration of treatment may vary based on severity/organ involvement, necessitating tailored regimens in certain cases such as those involving pregnant women or issues with liver or kidney function as per NTEP guidelines.