India has significantly reduced missing tuberculosis (TB) cases from 15 lakh in 2015 to 2.5 lakh in 2023, with TB incidence dropping by 17.7% and TB-related deaths falling by 21.4% since 2015, according to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).
The ICMR emphasized the need for affordable, scalable innovations to detect TB cases among asymptomatic individuals.
At the Innovation Summit on Tuberculosis, global experts, policymakers, and healthcare leaders gathered to showcase India’s progress and solutions in the fight against TB, spotlighting these achievements and calling for continued innovation to sustain the momentum.
A major highlight of the summit was the push for advanced diagnostic and treatment technologies to enhance early detection and improve patient outcomes. The ICMR has validated three indigenous handheld X-ray devices, specifically designed for community-level screening. These devices are lightweight, portable, and emit lower radiation, and have already been deployed as part of India’s 100-day Intensified TB Elimination Campaign across 455 high-priority districts.
“AI-powered chest X-ray analysis through DeepCXR, developed in collaboration with the Institute of Plasma Research, Ahmedabad, is poised to be a game-changer in swiftly identifying suspected TB cases and enabling faster treatment initiation,” said Anupriya Patel, Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare.
The ICMR has also validated the CyTb skin test, developed by the Serum Institute of India, for detecting latent TB infections. This affordable test has outperformed the costly interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA), making it a practical solution for resource-constrained settings. In addition, the indigenous PathoDetect™ molecular diagnostic test enables simultaneous detection of TB and drug resistance, helping accelerate diagnosis and improve treatment outcomes.
Under the National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP), new shorter and more effective treatment regimens have been introduced. Oral Bedaquiline-based therapies have increased treatment success rates for drug-resistant TB from 68% in 2020 to 75% in 2022. The rollout of the mBPaL regimen — combining Bedaquiline, Pretomanid, and Linezolid — has demonstrated 80% efficacy in treating multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB), while reducing treatment duration to just six months.
To further support patient recovery, the government has strengthened the Ni-kshay Poshan Yojana, increasing financial assistance for TB patients to up to ₹1,000 per month, effective from November 1, 2024. Additionally, the Ni-kshay Mitra initiative has seen significant growth, with over 2.81 lakh new volunteers now offering food baskets and other essential support to TB patients and their families.
Experts at the summit emphasized the need for affordability, scalability, and seamless integration of these innovations into existing healthcare systems. Among the notable advancements was the Quantiplus MTB FAST Detection Kit, developed by Huwel Lifesciences. This open-system RT-PCR kit, with a sensitivity of 86% and specificity of 96%, is designed to utilize the more than 3,300 RT-PCR machines set up during the Covid-19 pandemic — greatly expanding the country’s TB testing capacity.
Health Technology Assessment India, under the Department of Health Research, has assessed the clinical effectiveness and cost-efficiency of these new tools. “Making these innovations affordable and accessible on a large scale will be crucial for sustained TB elimination,” said a senior ICMR official.
The summit highlighted India’s rising stature as a global leader in TB innovation, fueled by a robust research ecosystem and strong government commitment. Experts urged greater international collaboration, operational research, and cross-border knowledge sharing to accelerate global efforts toward eradicating TB.
“The scale and diversity of India’s TB elimination efforts are unparalleled. By blending scientific innovation with grassroots mobilisation, India is setting an example for the world,” Patel concluded.
