Tuberculosis Cure Rate in Mumbai Sees a Significant Boost
Raising Cure Rates and Holding TB Infections Steady
As India attempts to reach its valiant goal of eliminating TB by 2025, India’s largest municipal body, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), has made some positive strides. On World TB Day, BMC representatives announced an increase in cure rates for multi-drug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) to 80% over the past eight years.“TB deaths in Dharavi have extremely reduced from 15% of cases eight years earlier to 5% now,” stated Civic Executive Health Officer Dr. Daksha Shah. Much of this is attributable to better diagnostics, modern drug treatments, and better nutritional assistance for patients with TB.
Mumbai — A hub for Multi Drug Resistant Tuberculosis and Better Care Initiatives
Known globally as the capital for MDR-TB, Mumbai sees approximately 5,000 new cases of MDR-TB every year. Unlike regular TB, MDR-TB requires a longer and harder treatment; however, the BMC plans to release a shorter treatment called BPaL that will potentially make treatment easier for treatment access and efficiency alone. In 2024, the number of TB tests performed is double when compared to 2023; however, the number of positive test cases has not changed significantly. The experts argue that this is indicative that TB cases in the city may be stabilizing.
Faster Identification, Better Access to Care
In the last three years, Mumbai has expedited and enhanced the identification of TB using molecular testing, in particular CBNAAT and TrueNat methods, to test for MDR-TB within just hours. This has played a monumental role in significantly reducing treatment delays which previously occurred because of slow diagnostic measures that had lasted sometimes in excess of months. Additionally, 31 drug-resistance clinics in Mumbai offer timely testing and treatment for suspected TB cases. Private hospitals have also been helpful in offering free MDR- TB treatment to suspected cases with endorsement from BMC.
TB Cases: Decreasing or Better Identification?
Mumbai identified 65,747 TB cases in 2022; 63,575 in 2023, and 60,633 in 2024. However, a 7% increase of cases in Greater Mumbai suggests that more effective testing may be uncovering more cases as opposed to a real increase in infection rates. As Mumbai increases its committed fight against TB, these measures provide hope for improved management of the disease and general public health; stay tuned in for additional health news in India as it works towards TB free status.
