India has developed a country-level mathematical model that estimates the prevalence of tuberculosis (TB) cases in the country. The model allows for TB incidence and mortality estimate data to be available by March each year, months before the World Health Organization (WHO) releases its annual estimates in October. The model, which draws from data such as an individuals infection and disease status, healthcare utilization, and treatment outcomes, was presented at the 36th Stop TB PARTNERSHIP Board meeting in Varanasi. The Indian model estimated the TB incidence rate in India to be 196 in 2022, lower than the WHOs estimate of 210 and suggested 3.20 lakh TB mortality absolute numbers in 2022, lower than WHOs estimated 4.94 lakhs
India has made significant efforts to increase the National TB Elimination Program coverage and generate more evidence. Laboratory Services have been scaled up and decentralized with high-quality rapid diagnostic tests. In addition, India has introduced a daily regimen for first-line treatment of tuberculosis, integrating the regimens in the public and private sectors to ensure universal access to TB care. Patients with drug-resistant TB have been provided with injection-free, shorter, and better second-line treatment. The use of Nikshay, a tracking system for patients, has helped to improve the treatment outcomes of all types of patients in both the public and private sectors, including those who may have otherwise been lost to follow-up.