Enhancements in Tuberculosis Detection in India amidst Ongoing Challenges in Treatment and Prevention

Diagnostic gaps persist, particularly in rural areas, due to limited infrastructure and trained personnel.The primary obstacle is drug resistance due to missed doses, stock-outs, or improper adherence to the medicine schedule.Further, some of DR-TB requires specialized facilities and expertise, which are not uniformly available across the country. 7Apart from this "catastrophic health expenditure" is not always possible for low-income population.Nutrition significantly impacts TB cases, affecting infection susceptibility, disease progression, treatment outcomes, recovery, and prevention. 8,9Access to nutritious food is crucial for TB prevention and control efforts.To overcome the malnourishment in TB patients, it will be beneficial to launch an app that tracks treatment adherence and rewards TB patients with food tokens or grocery credits.Links to anganwadi centers and public nutrition programs may reduce undernutrition.Healthcare integration often involves the coexistence of TB and other medical conditions, such as diabetes and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).Effective management and treatment outcomes are crucial for managing these comorbidities effectively.Addressing these determinants is crucial for effective TB control.India may still miss global health milestones due to bureaucratic hurdles, funding constraints, and competing health priorities. 10Enhancing TB care and control can be achieved by utilizing developing technologies.To do early risk assessments and triage high-risk clients, community health workers can utilize artificial intelligence (AI)-powered mobile systems that include clinical, radiological, and demographic data.Digital TB health cards, which include welfare payout records, adherence logs, and treatment regimens, aid in ensuring continuity of care 1-