World Tuberculosis Day 2023: Date, Theme, History, Importance and facts

Tuberculosis (TB), a deadly lung infection, is caused by a bacterium that spreads through tiny droplets discharged into the air when one coughs or sneezes. Although Johann Schonlein first used the name tuberculosis in 1834, the CDC estimates that the infection has been around for three million years.

Due to the sufferers' pallor, TB was referred to as "the white plague" in the 1700s. Dr. Robert Koch made the discovery of the TB-causing bacterium on March 24, 1882. On the same day a century later, the World TB Day celebration got underway. Here is a look at the theme of the year, its history, and its relevance for World TB Day 2023.

Do You Know What Tuberculosis Is?

Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a type of bacteria that most frequently affects the lungs, is the cause of tuberculosis (TB). Both a cure and prevention exist for tuberculosis. Via the air, TB can transmit from one person to another. Those who have lung TB cough, sneeze, or spit into the air, spreading the TB bacteria. Only a few of these microbes must be inhaled in order to cause an infection. According to estimates, around a quarter of the world's population has contracted the TB bacteria. However, the majority of those who do not progress to TB disease and some who do recover from the infection.

A person cannot spread the disease if they are infected but not (yet) ill with it. A lifetime risk of contracting TB for those who have contracted the TB germs is between 5 and 10%. A person's chance of getting sick is increased if they have a weakened immune system, which includes those who use cigarettes, are malnourished, have diabetes or HIV, or who are obese.

The signs of active TB disease, such as a cough, fever, night sweats, or weight loss, may not become apparent in a person for several months. This can cause delays in obtaining medical attention and result in the spread of the infection to other people. During the course of a year, individuals with active TB can infect 5-15 more persons through intimate contact. Without appropriate care, nearly all HIV-positive and, on average, 45% of HIV-negative TB patients would perish.

Theme of World Tuberculosis(TB) Day 2023

The goal of World TB Day 2023, which will be observed with the theme "Yes! We can end TB!," is to promote optimism and high-level leadership in order to increase investments, hasten the adoption of new WHO recommendations, adopt innovations, speed up the pace of action, and foster multi sectoral cooperation in the fight against the TB epidemic. The UN High-Level Conference on TB in 2023 presents potential to increase political commitment and awareness, making this year crucial.

In the run-up to the UN High-Level Conference on TB in 2023, countries will be urged to make more progress. This will be the focus of World TB Day. WHO will also collaborate with partners to publish a call to action pushing Member States to quicken the adoption of the new, shorter, all-oral treatment regimens for drug-resistant TB that are recommended by WHO. Every year on March 24, World TB Day is held to commemorate the day in 1882 when the bacteria that causes TB was discovered and to promote awareness of the disease and efforts being made to put an end to the global epidemic.

History Of World Tuberculosis(TB) Day

Dr. Robert Koch's discovery of the tuberculosis-causing Mycobacterium in 1882 opened the door to the illness's identification and treatment. We must confront the truth that tuberculosis (TB) is still the most infectious killer in the world. National leaders first came together at the UN High-Level Meeting in September 2018 to accelerate national responses to TB and make commitments to eradicating the illness.

Importance Of World Tuberculosis(TB) Day

Tuberculosis is a treatable and preventable disease that mostly affects the lungs. The sickness is airborne and spreads through coughing or sneezing from the infected person. A healthy person could become ill from breathing in those bacteria. The World Health Organization estimates that every day, more than 4,000 people worldwide pass away from TB and another 28,000 become infected. Initiatives for TB prevention and treatment have improved 63 million people's lives since the year 2000.

In 2000, former US President Bill Clinton observed World TB Day by giving patients at Hyderabad, India's Mahavir Hospital the WHO-recommended DOTS (Directly Observed Treatment, Short-Course). According to Clinton, these are economic catastrophes, human tragedies, and more than just personal issues for individuals, they are global disasters. No country is immune to the spread of TB, which is an international issue.

Key Facts on World TB Day

A total of 1.6 million people died from TB in 2021 (including 187 000 people with HIV). Worldwide, TB is the 13th leading cause of death and the second leading infectious killer after COVID-19 (above HIV/AIDS).

In 2021, an estimated 10.6 million people fell ill with tuberculosis(TB) worldwide. Six million men, 3.4 million women and 1.2 million children. TB is present in all countries and age groups. But TB is curable and preventable.

In 2021, 1.2 million children fell ill with TB globally. Child and adolescent TB is often overlooked by health providers and can be difficult to diagnose and treat.

In 2021, the 30 high TB burden countries accounted for 87% of new TB cases

Multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) remains a public health crisis and a health security threat. Only about one in three people with drug resistant TB accessed treatment in 2020.

Globally, TB incidence is falling at about 2% per year and between 2015 and 2020 the cumulative reduction was 11%. This was over half way to the End TB Strategy milestone of 20% reduction between 2015 and 2020.

An estimated 66 million lives were saved through TB diagnosis and treatment between 2000 and 2020.

Globally, close to one in two TB-affected households face costs higher than 20% of their household income, according to latest national TB patient cost survey data. The world did not reach the milestone of 0% TB patients and their households facing catastrophic costs as a result of TB disease by 2020.

By 2022, US$ 13 billion is needed annually for TB prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care to achieve the global target agreed at the UN high level-meeting on TB in 2018.

Funding in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) that account for 98% of reported TB cases falls far short of what is needed. Spending in 2020 amounted to US$ 5.3 billion less than half (41%) of the global target.

There was an 8.7% decline in spending between 2019 and 2020 (from US$ 5.8 billion to US$ 5.3 billion), with TB funding in 2020 back to the level of 2016.

Ending the TB epidemic by 2030 is among the health targets of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

National Tuberculosis Control Program

The National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP) was launched by the government under the auspices of the National Health Mission (NHM). The programme has implemented a National Strategy Plan with the following goals in order to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals related to TB by 2025, five years earlier than the global targets: -

Early detection of TB patients, timely treatment with high-quality medications, and effective treatment plans.

to interact with patients seeking medical attention privately.

Active case finding and contact tracing are two prevention tactics used in high risk/vulnerable populations.

control of airborne infections.

a multi-sectoral approach to socioeconomic determinants.

The government is steadily moving closer to attaining the SDG goals. According to the World Health Organization's Global TB Report, 2021, India's incidence of tuberculosis decreased from 217 per lakh people in 2015 to 188 per lakh people in 2020. The following are additional measures the government has made to guarantee that TB patients receive a diagnosis and finish their treatment:

Strategy plan for targeted interventions in high-burden areas, tailored to each state and district.

Free medications and diagnostics are given to TB patients, including those with drug-resistant forms.

Campaign to actively discover cases of TB in susceptible and co-morbid populations.

Decentralising screening and treatment services closer to the community through integration with Ayushman Bharat- Health & Wellness Centers.

Engagement of the private sector, including rewards for reporting and managing TB cases.

Molecular diagnostics laboratories should be expanded to sub-district levels.

Nikshay Poshan Yojana provides TB patients with nutritional help.

intensified IEC initiatives to promote health-seeking behaviour, increase community awareness, and minimise stigma.

multi-sectoral response with line ministries involved.

Expand TB prevention treatment to pulmonary TB contacts.

Via the web-based platform Ni-kshay, reported TB cases are monitored.