Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Nov 14: India has reduced tuberculosis (TB)-related deaths by 38 per cent since 2015, outperforming the global average decline of 35 per cent, according to the World Health Organization's (WHO) Global TB Report 2026.
The estimated TB mortality rate in India declined from 280 deaths per million people in 2015 to 180 deaths per million in 2025, the WHO report said.
However, India continued to account for the highest share of global TB cases, with 25 per cent of the total cases reported worldwide in 2025.
Indonesia accounted for 10 per cent of global cases, followed by the Philippines with 6.8 per cent, China with 6.5 per cent, Pakistan with 6.4 per cent, Nigeria with 4.9 per cent, the Democratic Republic of the Congo with 3.9 per cent and Bangladesh with 3.7 per cent.
The WHO noted that most people who develop TB are from 30 high-burden countries. India also remained among four countries that together accounted for more than 50 per cent of global multidrug-resistant (MDR) TB cases in 2025.
However, both the WHO and the Indian government confirmed that the incidence of MDR-TB has been gradually declining.
The WHO said India's TB profile would be separately reviewed and updated following an analysis of district-level sentinel surveillance (DLSS) data in coordination with the Central TB Division and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).
"Following completion of this work, estimates of trends in TB incidence are expected to be updated in early 2027 after which WHO will publish an updated country profile for India," the WHO said.
Meanwhile, the Union Health Ministry said the decline in TB mortality reflected India's significant progress in reducing deaths caused by the disease.
A treatment success rate of 94 per cent demonstrated the effectiveness of the country's patient-centred approach, improved treatment delivery and sustained support for people affected by TB, the ministry said.
Under the Centre's TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan, more than 25 crore people have been covered through intensified screening initiatives.
The government also conducted over 11 crore chest X-rays to strengthen early detection of the disease.
"48.64 lakh new TB cases were identified, including 14.97 lakh asymptomatic cases," the ministry added.