Lok Sabha Question No. 3623 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-16
Subject: National Strategic Plan for TB Elimination
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: SANJAY JAISWAL, SUNIL KUMAR SINGH, MEENAKASHI LEKHI, DUSHYANT CHAUTALA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3623 TO BE ANSWERED ON 16 TH MARCH, 2018

## NATIONAL STRATEGIC P LAN FOR TB ELIMINATION

## 3623. DR. SANJAY JAISWAL:

SHRI SUNIL KUMAR SINGH:

SHRIMATI MEENAKASHI LEKHI:

SHRI DUSHYANT CHAUTALA:

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  details  of  the  National  Strategic Plan  2012 - 17  which  was  meant  for  reducing the number of TB cases in the country ;
- (b) the time by which the new National Strategic Plan for TB Elimination (NSP 2017- 25) will be  launched  and operationlised  and  the  funds  earmarked  for implementation  of  the  same including the share to be utilized for cash transfers and social welfare schemes;
- (c) whether it is a fact that the country has become home to the largest number of people suffering from Multi - Drug-Resistant (MDR) TB, if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether the Government has analyzed the reasons behind the increase in the T B; and
- (e) the details of steps taken by the Government including awareness generation among the rural masses in this regard?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SMT. ANUPRIYA PATEL )

- (a)& (b) : The Governmentlaunched the National Strategic Plan (NSP) to control cases of Tuberculosis in the country during the period 2012 - 2017. The key components of the NSP (2012 - 2017) are:
- a) Strengthening and improving the quality of basic DOTS services.
- b) Deploying improved rapid diagnostics to the field level
- c) Expanding efforts to engage all care providers
- d) Expanding diagnosis and treatment of drug resistant TB cases
- e) Improving communication, outreach and social mobilization.
- f) Promoting  research  for  development  and  implementation of  improved  tools  and strategies.
- g) Utilizing Information Communication Technology (ICT) tools for strengthening TB surveillance .

The implementation of National Strategic Plan for TB Elimination (NSP 2017 - 25) has started in January 2017 and the funds allocated for FY 2018 - 19  is  Rs.2770.91    Crore which includes funds for cash transfers and social welfare schemes.

(c) & (d): As per the Global report 2017 of the World Health Organisation (WHO), India accounts for 1,47,000 estimated MDR - RR cases which is 24% of the Global cases.

However, as per this report, the incidence of TB in India has fallen from 21 lakh population per year in the year 2015 to 211 per lakh population per year in t 2016.

After  introduction  of  NIKSHAY  po rtal  and  Active  Case  Finding  Scheme,  higher number of cases reported by private practitioners was included in the National data case finding, this resulted increased data on TB cases.

In addition to the above, the reason behind the increase in TB c ase  ca be attributed to  various  social  determinants  which  perpetuate  the  spread  of  TB  infection.  These determinant factors like poverty, under - nutrition, crowded and poorly ventilated living, air pollution, alcohol consumption, tobacco smoking, et c. increase the likelihood of conversion of TB infection to TB disease.

(e): The details of steps taken by the Government are as follows:

- early diagnosis of all the TB patients, prompt treatment with quality assured dru treatment regimens
- suitable patient support systems to promote adherence.
- engaging with the patients seeking care in the private sector.
- prevention strategies including active case finding and
- contact tracing in high risk / vulnerable population
- airborne infection control.
- Multisectoral response to address social determinants.
- Advocacy, Communication and Social Mobilization activities to promote awareness regarding TB among all the sections of the society.