On the occasion of World Tuberculosis Day on March 24, the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) conducted various awareness activities based on the theme set by the World Health Organization: “Yes! We Can End TB: Commit, Invest, Deliver.”

According to data from the Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, India’s TB incidence rate has declined by 17.7%, from 237 per 100,000 population in 2015 to 195 per 100,000 population in 2023. Meanwhile, TB-related deaths have reduced by 21.4%, from 28 per lakh population in 2015 to 22 per lakh population in 2023.

As part of the awareness initiatives, rallies, street plays, and educational programs were organized to highlight the importance of TB prevention and treatment. School students from NMMC School No. 1, Belapur, participated in the rally and pledged to work towards a TB-free India.

Rangoli competitions based on the theme were organized across four civic hospitals. Public meetings and training sessions for healthcare staff were also conducted. Additionally, DY Patil Medical College and Terna Medical College hosted poster competitions, conferences, and health education programs.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Kailas Shinde emphasized the importance of government-private sector collaboration in TB eradication. He said, “Private hospitals, clinics, and labs should report TB cases to NMMC to ensure better treatment and monitoring. I also appeal to citizens and private organizations to contribute to making Navi Mumbai TB-free.”

• A total of 1.25 million people died from tuberculosis (TB) in 2023 (including 161 000 people with HIV). Worldwide, TB has probably returned to being the world’s leading cause of death from a single infectious agent, following three years in which it was replaced by coronavirus disease (COVID-19). It was also the leading killer of people with HIV and a major cause of deaths related to antimicrobial resistance.
• In 2023, an estimated 10.8 million people fell ill with TB worldwide, including 6.0 million men, 3.6 million women and 1.3 million children. TB is present in all countries and age groups. TB is curable and preventable.
• Multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) remains a public health crisis and a health security threat. Only about 2 in 5 people with drug resistant TB accessed treatment in 2023.
• Global efforts to combat TB have saved an estimated 79 million lives since the year 2000.
• US$ 22 billion is needed annually for TB prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care to achieve the global target by 2027 agreed at the 2023 UN high level-meeting on TB.
• Ending the TB epidemic by 2030 is among the health targets of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).