In a stark revelation, the World Health Organization reported that a total of 1.23 million people died from tuberculosis (TB) in 2024. This alarming statistic underscores TB’s status as the world’s leading cause of death from a single infectious agent.
In the same year, an estimated 10.7 million people fell ill with TB worldwide, highlighting the ongoing public health crisis. The disease, which is preventable and curable, continues to pose a significant threat, particularly to vulnerable populations.
Among those affected, individuals living with HIV are particularly at risk, being 12 times more likely to fall ill with TB disease than those without HIV. In 2024, approximately 150,000 people died of HIV-associated TB, further complicating the fight against both diseases.
Despite the grim statistics, only 61% of the estimated number of people living with HIV who developed TB received antiretroviral therapy (ART) in 2024. This indicates a substantial gap in treatment access, particularly for those with drug-resistant TB.
The crisis is exacerbated by the fact that only about 2 in 5 people with drug-resistant TB accessed treatment in 2024. The ongoing challenge of multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) remains a public health crisis and a health security threat.
Geographically, the largest number of new TB cases occurred in the WHO South-East Asia Region, accounting for 34% of global cases. This region continues to grapple with the highest burden of the disease.
To combat this global health emergency, an estimated US$ 22 billion are needed annually for TB prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and care to achieve global targets by 2027.
In a related context, India has expanded its energy import sources from 27 countries to 41 countries over the past 11 years, demonstrating a commitment to enhancing its energy security.
In response to these challenges, PM Modi stated, “India has always stood for peace in the interest of humanity and dialogue and diplomacy are the only solutions to this problem.” He also emphasized that the government is ensuring smooth supplies of petrol, diesel, oil, gas, and fertilizers.
As the world grapples with these pressing health issues, the need for comprehensive strategies and international cooperation becomes increasingly critical.
