40Cr Latent TB Carriers Biggest Hurdle To Elimination: Maha Task Force Head Dr Sushant Meshram, chairman of the Maharashtra task force committee for the National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP), highlighted that India faces a significant challenge in eliminating tuberculosis due to an estimated 35-40 crore people carrying latent tuberculosis infection. Speaking at a one-day workshop in Nagpur organized under the TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan, Meshram emphasized that asymptomatic carriers pose a critical barrier to TB elimination. He warned that these individuals, who show no symptoms, could progress to active disease due to factors such as malnutrition, diabetes, aging, or immunosuppression. Meshram stressed that current diagnostic tools like the Tuberculin Skin Test (TST) and Interferon-Gamma Release Assay (IGRA) are insufficient to predict which latent carriers will develop active TB. He called for targeted screening and preventive therapy in high-risk groups, such as those with HIV, diabetes, or close contact with TB patients. The workshop, the first dedicated CME programme on tuberculosis infection (TBI) in the country, brought together specialists from pulmonology, microbiology, internal medicine, and community health. It was inaugurated by global TB expert Dr Sunil Khaparde. Meshram underscored that TB elimination cannot be achieved by treating only active cases, stating, “Elimination is not possible by treating only active TB. The hidden burden must be addressed.” Experts at the event discussed the complexities of identifying high-risk individuals and the need for improved diagnostic methods.#dr_sushant_meshram #national_tb_elimination_programme #maharashtra_task_force #tb_mukt_bharat_abhiyan #dr_sunil_khaparde
