India’s goal of “Health for All” faces major hurdles such as low public health spending, rising non-communicable and infectious diseases, antimicrobial resistance, and persistent gaps in infrastructure and access. Although initiatives like Ayushman Bharat, Health and Wellness Centres, and disease-control programmes have expanded services, missed TB targets and repeated pharmaceutical quality lapses reveal systemic weaknesses. Achieving true universal health coverage will require higher funding, stronger regulation, and a primary healthcare–centred approach.
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India entered 2025 aiming to eliminate TB but remains far from the goal. Despite free treatment and programme reforms, India still accounts for over a quarter of global cases due to stigma, underinvestment, private sector dependence, weak awareness and poor prevention. Politically prioritising TB, integrating socio-economic determinants and strengthening surveillance are key to moving from intent to impact.
Click to View MoreTuberculosis (TB) is a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, primarily affecting the lungs (Pulmonary TB) but also other organs (Extrapulmonary TB). India has made remarkable progress in TB control, with incidence declining by 21% per year and mortality dropping from 28 to 21 per lakh population between 2015 and 2024. Key measures driving this success include early diagnosis through molecular tests, free treatment under the National TB Elimination Program, community screening campaigns like TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan, and digital monitoring via the Nikshay portal. The decline not only reduces transmission and deaths but also lessens socioeconomic burden, improves productivity, and contributes to global TB elimination goals.
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