Epidemiol Health.  2021;43(1):e2021022. 10.4178/epih.e2021022.

Controlling the drug-resistant tuberculosis epidemic in India: challenges and implications

• Husain AA
• Kupz A
• Kashyap RS

• KMID: 2516495
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4178/epih.e2021022

Abstract

India has a higher tuberculosis (TB) burden than any other country, accounting for an estimated one-fourth of the global burden. Drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) presents a major public health problem in India. Patients with DR-TB often require profound changes in their drug regimens, which are invariably linked to poor treatment adherence and sub-optimal treatment outcomes compared to drug-sensitive TB. The challenge of addressing DR-TB is critical for India, as India contributes over 27% of global DR-TB cases. In recent decades, India has been proactive in its battle against TB, even implementing a revised National Strategic Plan to eliminate TB by 2025. However, to achieve this ambitious goal, the country will need to take a multifaceted approach with respect to its management of DR-TB. Despite concerted efforts made by the National TB Elimination Program, India faces substantial challenges with regard to DR-TB care, especially in peripheral and resource-limited endemic zones. This article describes some of the major challenges associated with mitigating the growing DR-TB epidemic in India and their implications.

Keyword

Tuberculosis; India; Drug resistance; Diagnosis; Epidemics