TB is a curable disease. Yet lakhs die of TB globally and in India are either diagnosed inaccurately, late or treated inappropriately.

Since TB is airborne, an incorrectly diagnosed person can infect others. Further, inappropriate treatment perpetuates suffering and drug-resistance. Most TB affected individuals struggle to find accurate and reliable diagnosis and treatment.

 

The challenges associated with TB diagnosis and treatment are attributed to economic, social and physical limitations in accessing diagnostics, continuing and completing treatment. We believe that countries cannot address the global TB crisis until we improve TB diagnosis and treatment to ensure all those infected with TB get detected and treated early.

 

TB remains undiagnosed and hence untreated for several reasons. These include, use of outdated tools for TB diagnosis, misuse of existing tests for the detection of active TB as well as inadequate uptake of World Health Organisation (WHO) endorsed rapid diagnostic TB tests. Often a key reason for delayed diagnosis is poor awareness and inability to access health services.

 

Those diagnosed with TB, often receive inappropriate treatment especially in the private sector. This can lead to increased suffering, illness, drug resistance, and sometimes death. Those on treatment do not get the support and guidance needed to manage side effects and treatment. Many lack access to new regimens that can improve care. Most TB affected lack adequate information and literacy on effective TB diagnosis and treatment.

 

This combined with deep seated stigma and discrimination is a critical challenge for TB treatment.