India’s Battle Against Tuberculosis Gains Global Recognition: WHO Report Praises Rapid Progress
New Delhi, November 13, 2025 — India’s long-standing mission to eliminate tuberculosis (TB) has reached a significant milestone, earning international praise in the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Global Tuberculosis Report 2025. The report highlights India’s exceptional progress in reducing TB incidence, with the rate of decline since 2015 being nearly double the global average — one of the steepest declines recorded worldwide.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded this achievement, describing it as a testament to India’s collective determination and commitment to public health. “The latest WHO report shows that India has made a commendable reduction in TB incidence since 2015, nearly twice the global rate of decline. This is one of the sharpest drops seen anywhere in the world,” he said in a statement on Thursday.
A Remarkable National Effort
The WHO findings underscore the impact of India’s aggressive anti-TB campaigns, strengthened surveillance, and improved access to diagnosis and treatment. Over the years, the country has expanded TB care through initiatives such as the Ni-kshay Mitra program, which engages community leaders, corporates, and individuals in supporting patients with nutrition and care during treatment.
Additionally, digital platforms like Ni-kshay Portal have enhanced case tracking, ensuring that patients receive timely treatment and follow-ups. The government’s emphasis on early detection, awareness campaigns, and community-led interventions has also contributed to reducing the number of “missing cases” — patients who go undiagnosed or unreported.
Expanding Treatment Success
India has recorded a consistent increase in treatment coverage and success rates, supported by the free availability of medicines, improved laboratory networks, and integration of TB care with broader health systems under Ayushman Bharat and National Health Mission (NHM) frameworks.
Health experts attribute the success to a mix of government leadership, technological innovation, and community participation. The country’s adoption of newer diagnostic tools, shorter treatment regimens, and public-private collaboration has accelerated progress toward the goal of eliminating TB by 2025 — five years ahead of the global Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target.
Global Acknowledgment and the Road Ahead
The WHO report notes that India’s performance has been pivotal in influencing the global TB trajectory. While the world continues to face challenges in TB control, India’s sustained momentum offers a model for other nations grappling with similar health burdens.
Despite the encouraging results, experts caution that maintaining this pace will require continued investment, strong surveillance systems, and community engagement to prevent relapse and drug-resistant TB.
Prime Minister Modi reaffirmed India’s commitment, saying, “We remain dedicated to building a healthy and fit India. Our goal is not just to reduce TB cases but to completely eradicate this disease from our nation.”
As the nation continues its determined march toward a TB-free future, India’s success story stands as a powerful example of how political will, innovation, and people’s participation can drive monumental change in public health.
