India dispatches 3 tonnes of anti-tuberculosis medicines to Sri Lanka
India has dispatched 3 tonnes of anti-tuberculosis medicines to Colombo via Indian Air Force to support Sri Lanka's public health system.
In a significant move to bolster its neighbor's healthcare infrastructure, India has sent approximately 3 tonnes of anti-tuberculosis medicines to Colombo. This medical consignment aims to provide essential support to Sri Lanka's public health system in the ongoing fight against the disease.
India's commitment to regional health
The dispatch was confirmed by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar through a post on X (formerly Twitter). He highlighted India's steadfast commitment to supporting the public health systems of its neighboring nations. The shipment was transported to Colombo via an Indian Air Force C130J aircraft.
The global fight against Tuberculosis
This medical aid comes at a critical time for the region. During the 79th Session of the WHO Regional Committee for South-East Asia, member states pledged to take more integrated action to address gaps in tuberculosis (TB) prevention and treatment. The focus remains on early diagnosis, wider access to treatment, and financial protection for affected families.
The scale of the challenge in the South-East Asia Region is significant. In 2024, the region accounted for roughly 34 per cent of new TB cases globally, with an estimated 3.68 million cases and approximately 433,000 deaths. Furthermore, about 150,000 people developed multidrug- and rifampicin-resistant TB, which represents more than 38 per cent of the global burden.
Strategic goals for 2030
While the region has seen progress since 2015—with TB incidence falling by 16 per cent and deaths declining by 23 per cent—current gains are not yet enough to meet the "End TB Strategy" targets. These targets aim for an 80 per cent reduction in TB incidence and a 90 per cent reduction in deaths by 2030 compared to 2015 levels.
Experts suggest that a combination of improved treatment, rapid diagnostics, and the potential introduction of a TB vaccine by 2028 could drastically alter the current trajectory. If implemented effectively, these interventions could prevent around 1.45 million new cases and 300,000 deaths by the end of the decade.
Dr. Nilesh Buddha, Officer-in-Charge of the WHO South-East Asia Region, emphasized that while the tools to change the trajectory exist, the priority must be ensuring these tools reach everyone equitably through quality primary healthcare.