Status and challenges for tuberculosis control in India – Stakeholders' perspective

BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis is one of the ten major causes of mortality worldwide. The trend of increasing TB cases and drug resistance in India is very disturbing. The objectives of the study were to study the perspectives and opinions of different stakeholders on the status, challenges and the ways to tackle the issues of TB in India. METHODS: The online survey was done for the data collection from national and international experts. The data collection took place during October 2017. We received 46 responses. RESULTS: The experts had varied answers as to the menace of TB in India, effect of TB on individuals, family and society, failure of government plans in India, TB awareness campaign and ways to create awareness. Everyone believed that urgent action needs to be taken against the disease like improving the healthcare infrastructure of the country (improving the quality and quantity of medical facilities and doctors) and creating awareness about the TB. CONCLUSION: Government of India is making lot of efforts to bring down the problems associated with TB through. In spite of this, there is a long way to go to achieve significant reduction in high incidence and prevalence of TB in India. Factors like lack of awareness and resources, poor infrastructure, increasing drug resistant cases, poor notification and overall negligence are the major challenges. If we eradicate poverty and undernourishment, educate the masses and eliminate the stigma attached with TB, we can hope for a disease free future.