Anupriya Patel, Mister of State for Health and Family Welfare, informed the Lok Sabha that Gujarat reported 34,384 deaths due to tuberculosis (TB) infection. This is the third highest number of Indian states after Uttar Pradesh (87,538) and Maharashtra (43,107). The MoS provided the figures in response to a question raised by Trinamool MP Sougata Ray. There have been 43,290 deaths only this year due to tuberculosis across India.
Despite government claims of putting efforts to tame the deadly disease, everyday 15 people die due to TB infection on average. This year itself, 2,784 people have lost their lives. Since 2019, an average of 6,200 people have succumbed to TB in Gujarat. As per the India TB report, 76% of the 1.5 lakh cases notified of TB in Gujarat in 2023 have lung involvement. The mortality rate was 5.8% among males and 3.5% among females. TB attacking the spine or brain is more difficult to cure.
The prevalence of Tuberculosis (TB) in Gujarat is on a consistent rise. In 2020, there were 173 TB patients per lakh people in the state which went up to 204 in 2021, and 213 in 2022.
Up to June 2024, 2,784 people have died due to tuberculosis. The number was 6,436, 6,870, 5,472, 6,846 and 5,976 in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023 respectively. 6,436 people died due to Tuberculosis in 2019.
One of the reasons for high mortality among TB patients is the combination of other ailments such as diabetes and HIV. Also, antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) TB patients have higher mortality rates. Cases of occupational TB are also quite common. Those in close contact with the patients, such as doctors and nurses tend to be more susceptible. The general symptoms of tuberculosis are incessant coughing, fever, and sudden weight loss.
The COVID-19 pandemic also intensified tuberculosis cases and mortality worldwide. The fact that Gujarat has more numbers also might indicate that it has better systems of detecting the disease and that the reporting is truthful.
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