The initiative is a part of Dare2eraD TB program (Data Driven Research to Eradicate TB), launched in March 2022, which focuses on data-driven research to eradicate TB.

About DARE2ERAD TB program

• Ministry: Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Ministry of Science and Technology.
• Indian Tuberculosis Genomic Surveillance Consortium (InTGS) is one of the key components of the program.
• Objective: sequence >32,000 TB isolates to identify drug resistance mutations & improve treatment outcomes.

TB burden in India

• Highest cases: India accounts for 27% of the global TB cases, the highest TB burden in the world.
• Estimated deaths: 331,000 (23 deaths per 100,000 population) (2022).

Key Initiatives By The India To Eliminate TB

• National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP): renamed as Revised National Tuberculosis Control Program (RNTCP) goal to eliminate tuberculosis (TB) by 2025.
• Components Of the NTEP Programme
  •  Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan (PMTBMBA): To support TB patients and their families.
  • Ni-kshay Poshan Yojana (NPY): financial support for TB patients' nutrition of ₹1,000 per month.
• TB Mukt Panchayat Initiative, Tribal TB Initiative etc.