Last Updated on February 24, 2023 by Shabnam Sengupta
The most common infectious disease in the world is tuberculosis (TB), an airborne illness that can be spread by coughing or sneezing. It is to blame for the economic destruction and the vicious cycle of illness and poverty that incapacitates families, communities, and even whole nations. Women, kids, and people with HIV/AIDS are among those who are most at risk. By definition, a pandemic is an illness that rapidly spreads across national borders and even continents. Despite being treatable and preventable, tuberculosis continues to be one of the most lethal infectious diseases in the world, claiming 4,100 lives daily. It was, however, classified as an epidemic rather than a pandemic in the 18th century. This is due to the fact that TB has not affected the countries with the resources, funds, and technical capacity in this area. In contrast, COVID-19 has drawn a lot of attention from those same nations due to concern over the illness and its potential effects at home. Consequently, the focus of this article is on the impact of tuberculosis on a global scale, as well as the difficulties in managing the disease and the preventive strategies that have been used globally.
What is the impact of tuberculosis on the world?
The World Health Organization claims that TB can be found anywhere in the world. In 2021, the WHO South-East Asian Region saw the highest percentage (46%) of new TB cases, followed by the WHO African Region (23%), and the WHO Western Pacific (18%).
In 2020, 87% of new TB cases were found in about 30 countries. Eight nations accounted for more than two thirds of all TB cases worldwide. These mainly include Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Nigeria, China, the Philippines, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Which challenges have hampered efforts to combat tuberculosis?
HIV and tuberculosis co-infection is a deadly combination that severely hinders control initiatives. Another significant factor is the rise in drug resistance caused by inappropriate use of TB medications, incorrect prescription errors by healthcare professionals, sub-standard medication, and early treatment discontinuation by patients.
Additionally, COVID-19 has a detrimental effect on the availability of essential medical services in many countries. This has resulted in a reduction in resources and a disruption in the availability of TB services. Furthermore, during lockdowns, people have had difficulty receiving medical attention for the same.
What preventive measures have been used to lessen the TB burden globally?
A multisectoral Accountability Framework for TB (MAF-TB) was completed and published by WHO in 2019. In addition, WHO is closely collaborating with nations, partners, and civil society to intensify the TB response. In order to help meet the goals of TB control worldwide, WHO is focusing on the following core functions:
- Taking the global lead in formulating plans and working across sectors to eradicate TB
- Setting the direction for TB research and innovation while promoting knowledge creation, translation, and dissemination
- Establishing guidelines and standards for TB treatment and prevention, as well as supporting and facilitating their implementation.
- Creating and promoting moral and fact-based TB prevention and treatment policy options;
- Ensuring that member states partner with WHO regional and country offices and receive specialized technical support for TB prevention and treatment.
- Monitoring and reporting on the state of the TB epidemic as well as the planning, financing, and execution of the international, regional, and national responses.
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