Health Ministry Introduces New Shorter and More Effective Treatment Regimen for Drug-Resistant TB in India

Health Ministry Introduces New Shorter and More Effective Treatment Regimen for Drug-Resistant TB in India


Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and in line with India's goal to eliminate tuberculosis (TB) by 2025, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has approved the introduction of the BPaLM regimen for treating multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB). This new regimen promises a more efficacious and shorter treatment duration, making it a breakthrough for the country’s National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP).


Introduction of the BPaLM Regimen


The BPaLM regimen includes a combination of four drugs: Bedaquiline, Pretomanid, Linezolid, and Moxifloxacin. Among these, Pretomanid, a new anti-TB drug, was previously approved and licensed for use in India by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO). The combination of these drugs provides a highly effective, shorter, and safer treatment alternative for MDR-TB patients.


This new regimen is a significant shift from traditional MDR-TB treatments, which could last up to 20 months and cause severe side effects. In contrast, the BPaLM regimen allows patients to recover within just six months, making it a faster and safer alternative. It has been proven to be more cost-effective and has a higher success rate in treating drug-resistant TB.


Impact on Drug-Resistant TB Patients in India


India has approximately 75,000 drug-resistant TB patients, all of whom stand to benefit from the BPaLM regimen. By shortening treatment duration and minimizing side effects, this novel treatment option could significantly improve the quality of life for patients while also reducing healthcare costs.


The introduction of BPaLM reflects a thorough evaluation of safety and efficacy, validated by in-country subject experts. The Department of Health and Family Welfare has worked in collaboration with the Department of Health Research to conduct a Health Technology Assessment to ensure the safety and cost-effectiveness of this regimen. This evaluation confirms that the BPaLM regimen provides an optimal solution for MDR-TB patients.


Country-Wide Rollout and Capacity Building


To ensure the widespread availability of the BPaLM regimen, a nationwide rollout plan is being developed by the Central TB Division of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW). This includes collaboration with all States and Union Territories (UTs) and a focus on capacity-building initiatives to equip healthcare professionals with the necessary skills for administering the new regimen safely and effectively.


India’s TB Elimination Goal: 2025


The National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP), previously known as the Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP), is at the forefront of India’s fight against TB. The primary aim of this programme is to eliminate TB by 2025, five years ahead of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) target set by the global community.


Prime Minister Narendra Modi first announced this ambitious vision during the Delhi End TB Summit in March 2018, stressing India’s commitment to eradicating TB. The introduction of the BPaLM regimen brings India closer to this goal, offering new hope to thousands of patients across the country.


Comparison of TB Data: 2014 to 2024


India has made considerable progress in its fight against TB over the last decade. In 2014, TB was a significant public health challenge, with high infection rates and limited treatment options for drug-resistant cases. Traditional treatment regimens were lengthy, leading to poor patient compliance and increased risk of drug-resistant strains.


Between 2014 and 2024, India has seen major advancements in its TB control strategies, with innovations such as the BPaLM regimen, better diagnostic technologies, and an increase in the availability of treatment options. By 2024, the introduction of shorter treatment regimens like BPaLM has improved the management of MDR-TB, and the overall success rate of treatment has increased.


Despite these advancements, TB remains a global challenge. In several countries, TB is still considered an incurable disease, especially when it becomes drug-resistant. The World Health Organization (WHO) has highlighted that in many low-income countries, the lack of resources and access to appropriate treatment makes TB a persistent and deadly threat.


Conclusion


The approval of the BPaLM regimen by India’s Health Ministry is a vital step towards achieving the country’s TB elimination target by 2025. This shorter and more effective treatment option provides new hope for MDR-TB patients and is set to revolutionize TB management in India. The rigorous process of evaluation, collaboration, and capacity-building will ensure that this treatment is safely and effectively administered across the country.


As the global fight against TB continues, India’s proactive approach, exemplified by the introduction of BPaLM, demonstrates its leadership in tackling one of the world’s most persistent health challenges.

Location: Pune, Maharashtra, India

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts

Father of RG Kar Victim Loses Faith in Legal System Amid Allegations of CBI Inconsistencies

Image
  A Father’s Frustration with the System The father of the 31-year-old postgraduate doctor who was raped and murdered at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College on August 9, 2024, has publicly expressed his deep disillusionment with the Indian legal system. In a powerful and emotional statement, he told ANI that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has presented contradictory reports in two different courts—the Calcutta High Court and Sealdah District Court. “This is not just a failure of investigation—this is a betrayal. Even Supreme Court judges could not believe the differences in what the CBI is saying. We had faith in the agency, but now, we are losing all hope,” he stated. Allegations of Withheld Evidence The father alleged that the CBI is deliberately withholding key details about the case, despite reportedly knowing who the perpetrators are. He believes the answers lie in his daughter’s phone, which the CBI claims it does not possess—an assertion he disputes. According t...
Read more

Bill Gates Applauds India's 'Namo Drone Didi' Program: A Game-Changer in Rural Empowerment and Agri-Tech

Image
Microsoft Founder Bill Gates Lauds India’s Namo Drone Didi Program In a strong endorsement of India’s evolving rural development model, Microsoft founder Bill Gates has praised the Namo Drone Didi initiative, launched in 2023 by the Government of India. The program empowers rural women by training them to operate drones for agricultural purposes, thereby boosting productivity, reducing manual labor, and enhancing socio-economic inclusion. Gates shared a detailed video and blog highlighting his interaction with three "Drone Didis" from Bihar— Sangita Devi , Sumintra Devi , and Kajol Kumari —during his visit to Delhi last month. He applauded the initiative's early success and expressed optimism about its future scalability. What is the Namo Drone Didi Program? Launched under the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Namo Drone Didi scheme is part of a broader strategy to promote women-led development and precision agriculture . It aims to provide 15,000 dro...
Read more

Flight Operations Disrupted Amid India-Pakistan Tensions: Air India and IndiGo Cancel Multiple Flights on May 13, 2025

Image
🔹 Flight Cancellations Announced by Air India On Tuesday, May 13, 2025 , Air India officially announced the cancellation of two-way flight operations to and from the following eight airports : Jammu Leh Jodhpur Amritsar Bhuj Jamnagar Chandigarh Rajkot The airline posted a statement on its official X (formerly Twitter) account, stating: "In view of the latest developments and keeping your safety in mind, flights to and from Jammu, Leh, Jodhpur, Amritsar, Bhuj, Jamnagar, Chandigarh and Rajkot are cancelled for Tuesday, 13th May." Air India further assured passengers that they are closely monitoring the situation and will provide timely updates as operations resume in the coming days. 🔹 IndiGo Follows with Six Airport Cancellations Following Air India's decision, IndiGo Airlines also issued a travel advisory cancelling its flight operations for May 13, 2025, at the following six airports : Jammu Amritsar Chandigarh Leh ...
Read more

Your Complete Online Guide to Land Records and Services in Bihar

Image
Introduction: The Shift Towards Digital Land Governance India’s land management system has traditionally relied on manual records maintained at local government offices. While foundational to governance and ownership, this manual system often led to bureaucratic delays, land disputes, and lack of transparency. Recognizing these issues, state governments across India have progressively adopted digital systems to make land-related services accessible, transparent, and efficient. Bihar Bhumi Portal: A Digital Leap in Land Management One of the leading examples of this digital transformation is Bihar’s Bihar Bhumi portal ( https://biharbhumilrc.com/ ), developed and maintained by the Revenue and Land Reforms Department of Bihar . The portal has become a centralized platform providing a wide range of land-related services to citizens, eliminating the need for in-person visits to land offices. Purpose and Vision The key objective behind launching the Bihar Bhumi portal was to empower...
Read more

Equality Before Law

Image
                            Equality Before Law                                                   Introduction The rule of law was firstly introduced by A.V. Dicey in  his book "The Constitution Of England" in which there is rule which only prevails is law in which all are equal. In simple word if any wrong is being done which is not justifiable  by law committed by anyone that may be president, prime minister, or any individual are punishable because there is supremacy of law. Supremacy of law means the government which is power or the people who elected the government all will be treated equally before law.  Article 14 The Indian Constitution 1949, Article 14 guarantees "Equality before law The State shall not deny to any person equality before the law or the...
Read more

Delhi High Court Grants Bail to Former Bank Manager Accused of Defrauding Woman of ₹13 Crores

Image
Delhi High Court Grants Bail to Former Bank Manager  Accused of Defrauding Woman of ₹13 Crores  The Delhi High Court has granted bail to Varun Vashista , a former bank manager accused of embezzling over ₹13 crores from a customer’s account while working at ICICI Bank's Vikas Puri branch. The bail was approved by Justice Amit Mahajan on November 12, 2024, after considering the evidence and facts of the case.   Details of the Case The allegations against Vashista stem from his role as a branch manager. The complainant and her husband had entrusted him with managing their investments, amounting to ₹13.5 crores, between 2019 and 2023.   The complainant discovered in January 2024 that nearly ₹12 crores had been **siphoned off** from her account. Key allegations include:   - Creation of Fake Fixed Deposits: The accused reportedly created fraudulent fixed deposit accounts in the complainant’s name.   - Misappropriation of Funds: Funds were tr...
Read more

Supreme Court Advocates for Childcare and Feeding Rooms in Public Spaces

Image
Supreme Court Advocates for Childcare and Feeding Rooms in Public Spaces The Supreme Court of India has suggested that the Union Government develop a comprehensive policy addressing the construction of feeding rooms and childcare facilities  in public places. This move aims to ensure that nursing mothers and their children can access basic amenities in a dignified and private manner, reinforcing their fundamental rights under the Indian Constitution. SC Encourages Policy Formulation A bench comprising Justice BV Nagarathna  and Justice N Kotiswar Singh  highlighted the absence of a structured framework to address this pressing issue. The court advised the Centre to propose a policy that could then be implemented across the states, scheduling the next hearing for December 10, 2024.   The apex court emphasized that before issuing formal directions, it was crucial to understand the Centre’s perspective on implementing the petitioner’s demand for childcare and feedi...
Read more

Evolution of Constitution under Article 14 to 18

Image
 Evolution of Constitution under Article 14 to 18 INTRODUCTION The idea of equality referenced under Article 14 to Article 18 upgrades a more extensive idea and a more extensive part of the examination as the subject of equity itself shapes a vital and powerful idea in itself. The idea of fairness overwhelms the exceptionally two significant ideas of equivalent security of law and equity under the steady gaze of the law. Likewise, the idea of uniformity wins in a wide range of establishments and accommodates equivalent freedoms for people with the abrogation of unapproachable and nullification of titles. The idea is a more extensive methodology as it is significant for society to look to each individual with a similar methodology regardless of his sexual orientation, rank, and religion. The law is visually impaired and is equivalent for each individual as it says that balance wins for each individual and each individual has the option to be secured by the law. Evolution  The f...
Read more

Supreme Court Reinforces Due Process: Curbing “Bulldozer Justice” with Strict Guidelines

Image
Supreme Court Reinforces Due Process: Curbing “Bulldozer Justice” with Strict Guidelines Background In a significant judgment, the Supreme Court of India has set out guidelines to curb arbitrary demolitions, commonly referred to as "bulldozer justice." This term has emerged from instances where properties of individuals accused of crimes have been demolished without following due legal process. The ruling responds to several petitions highlighting the destruction of residential and commercial properties without prior notice, which, according to petitioners, targets marginalized and minority communities. Key Principles Addressed The Supreme Court’s decision rests on critical constitutional principles, particularly the rule of law, separation of powers, and protection of individual rights . The Court emphasized that no person should be punished without due process and that arbitrary action by the executive undermines citizens’ trust in the justice system. Justice Gavai, in del...
Read more

Rights of a Arrested Person in India

Image
One of the basic and important feature of our legal system in benefits goes to arrested person on the principal of presumption of innocence of the accused person until he/she found guilty at the end of trail on legal evidence. Rights include the rights of the accused at the time of arrest, at the time of search and seizure, during the process of trail and the like. In well known case of Meneka Ghandhi v. UOI it was interpreted that the procedure adopted  by the state must be fair, just and reasonable. The certain rights which arrested person need to know are as follows: 1. Right To Silence "it was essentially right to refuse to answer and incriminate oneself in the absence of proper charge. Not initially, the right to refuse to reply to proper charge." the Justice Malimath Committee. The dependent if he so desires can be witness in his trial. His confession in police station is not admissible in court. Only to the magistrate is admissible. The Indian constitution guarantees e...
Read more