The correct answer is: Tuberculosis.
Tuberculosis (TB) is a bacterial disease that affects the lungs. It is spread through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. TB can cause serious health problems, including death.
Maharashtra is one of the states in India with a high prevalence of TB. According to the National Tuberculosis Control Programme (NTPC), Maharashtra reported 1,02,895 new cases of TB in 2018. This is the highest number of new cases reported by any state in India.
The high prevalence of TB in Maharashtra is due to a number of factors, including:
- Poverty: Poverty is a major risk factor for TB. People who are poor are more likely to live in crowded conditions, which makes it easier for TB to spread. They are also less likely to have access to quality healthcare, which can make it difficult to diagnose and treat TB.
- HIV/AIDS: HIV/AIDS weakens the immune system, making people more susceptible to TB. Maharashtra has a high prevalence of HIV/AIDS, which is another reason why the state has a high prevalence of TB.
- Lack of awareness: Many people in Maharashtra are not aware of the symptoms of TB. This can lead to delays in diagnosis and treatment, which can make TB more difficult to cure.
The government of Maharashtra is taking a number of steps to control the spread of TB in the state. These steps include:
- Expanding access to quality healthcare: The government is building new TB clinics and hospitals, and it is also training more doctors and nurses to treat TB.
- Raising awareness about TB: The government is running public awareness campaigns to educate people about the symptoms of TB and how to prevent it.
- Providing free treatment: The government provides free treatment for TB to all patients, regardless of their income.
These steps are helping to control the spread of TB in Maharashtra. However, more needs to be done to eliminate TB from the state. The government needs to continue to expand access to quality healthcare, raise awareness about TB, and provide free treatment.