USAID-India End TB Alliance to eliminate TB announced

United States and India have formed ‘USAID-India End TB Alliance comprising leading experts in public and private sectors to combat the menace of tuberculosis. It was announced by US Agency for International Development (USAID) administrator Mark Green at event in New York in presence of Union Health Minister J P Nadda.

USAID-India End TB Alliance

The alliance members include industry and civil society leaders, academics, scientists, innovators, investors, and members of the diaspora. The experts in the alliance will offer innovative approaches to combat tuberculosis in India. It two members include Dr. Soumya Swaminathan, Director General of World Health Organisation (WHO) and Blessina Kumar from Global Coalition of TB Activists. USAID will make initial US $30 million commitment, subject to approval of the US Congress

Tuberculosis (TB)

TB is disease caused by bacteria “Mycobacterium tuberculosis” that most often affect the lungs. It spreads from person to person through the air. It commonly affects lungs but can also affect other parts of the body. It is the second biggest killer disease worldwide next only to HIV/AIDS. ndia accounts for about a quarter of the global TB burden. Worldwide India is the country with the highest burden of both TB and MDR (Multi-drug resistant) TB. It accounts for 27% of the world’s TB cases, with 421,000 deaths per year i.e. one TB related death every minute. In March 2017, Government had set aim elimination of TB in India by 2025.

Month: Current Affairs - September, 2018