WHO calls for urgent action as South-East Asia leads in tuberculosis burden
New Delhi (PTI): The South-East Asia region continues to carry a disproportionate share of the tuberculosis burden, one of the leading infectious diseases in the world, said a World Health Organisation (WHO) official said on Tuesday.
On the World TB Day, the WHO called for stronger national leaderships, sustained investment and continued engagement of communities and people to control the spread of the disease.
In a statement, Dr Catharina Boehme, officer-in-charge, WHO South-East Asia, said, "The region accounts for approximately 34 per cent of people developing the disease globally and nearly 40 per cent of deaths. In 2024 alone, an estimated 3.68 million people developed TB, and approximately 433,000 lives were lost, including 13,000 among people living with HIV."
This year's theme -- "Yes! We Can End TB" -- is a timely reminder that progress is within reach when political commitment, science and innovation, and community leadership come together, Dr Boehme said.
Since 2015, South-East Asia has achieved 23 per cent reduction in TB deaths, and 16 per cent decline in TB incidence, outpacing the global average decline of 12 per cent.
Treatment coverage has expanded significantly to more than 85 per cent, with over 3.1 million people initiating treatment in 2024. The member states continue to achieve treatment success rates above the global average, including for drug-resistant TB, while expanding preventive treatment for people living with HIV and household contacts, she said.
The national programmes are strengthening TB services, integrating them within primary health care and universal health coverage, and using data and innovation to reach those still being missed. These gains reflect the sustained efforts of governments, health workers, communities and partners across the region.
Nevertheless, the region remains off track to meet the "End TB" milestones.
Drug-resistant TB remains a serious challenge, with an estimated 150,000 MDR (multidrug-resistant tuberculosis) and RR-TB (Rifampicin-Resistant tuberculosis) cases each year in the region.
Socio-economic drivers continue to fuel transmission as undernutrition and diabetes are major risk factors, and 44 per cent of TB-affected households face catastrophic costs due to the disease.
To drive progress, the focus needs to be on accelerating the pace of decline in TB incidence and deaths, especially in high-burden settings, through integrated approaches embedded within primary health care to provide people-centred care, Boehme said.
There is a need to close the detection and treatment gaps through universal access, rapid diagnostics and shorter treatment regimens.
Boehme also stressed harnessing new technologies, including artificial intelligence, to expand access to quality care that leaves no one behind.
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Belagavi: Hotel owner dies by suicide due to severe financial distress
Belagavi (Karnataka) (PTI): A 65-year-old hotel owner allegedly died by suicide at his eatery in this district on Tuesday morning owing to severe financial distress, police said.
The deceased was identified as Ramachandra Shankar Halluri, a resident of Hukkeri town. He had been running 'Hanuman Hotel' near the old bus stand for the past 16 years, they said.
According to police, Halluri had been grappling with sustained business losses over the past four to five years, which had significantly strained his financial condition. It is being learnt that he was under a debt burden of approximately Rs 11 lakh, and was reportedly finding it increasingly difficult to meet routine expenses, including rent and loan repayments.
On Tuesday morning, Halluri is said to have opened his hotel as usual around 6 am. However, he was later found hanging inside the premises.
Police personnel from Hukkeri Police Station rushed to the spot upon receiving information, conducted a preliminary inspection, and shifted the body for post-mortem examination.
Preliminary investigation indicates that the primary reason for the suicide was the financial burden arising from loans taken for the hotel business, a senior police officer said.
The police denied rumours that the suicide was due to disruption in gas cylinder supply affecting the hotel business.
"A filled gas cylinder was available at the hotel and was verified to be functional. It has been confirmed that financial stress due to inability to repay debts was the direct cause," the officer said.
Ruling out suspicion of any foul play, police said neither the family members nor others have expressed any suspicion regarding the death.
(Assistance for overcoming suicidal thoughts is available on the state’s health helpline 104, Tele-MANAS 14416.)
