Today is World Tuberculosis Day. The day is observed on 24th March every year to raise public awareness about the devastating health, social and economic consequences of TB, and to step up efforts to end the global epidemic.

The theme this year is, ‘It’s time’. It focusses on the urgency to act on the commitments made by global leaders to scale up access to prevention and treatment of the disease, build accountability and ensure sufficient and sustainable financing including for research among others.

In his message, President Ram Nath Kovind has urged all stakeholders to come together to achieve a TB free India. He appealed to the people to re-dedicate themselves towards achieving the goal.

Mr Kovind said, consistent with the spirit of this year’s theme, India has renewed its commitments and intentions to end TB by 2025, five years ahead of the global targets.

AIR correspondent reports, World Tuberculosis Day is observed on 24th March every year to raise public awareness about the devastating health, social and economic consequences of TB and to step up efforts to end the global epidemic.

The date marks the day in 1882 when Dr Robert Koch announced that he had discovered the bacterium that causes TB. Tuberculosis is one of the top ten causes of death worldwide.

In India, the government has taken many steps in order to tackle the problem of TB by 2025.

It includes early diagnosis of all patients, and prompt treatment with quality. Newer evidence-based regimens have been introduced to improve the treatment outcomes of drug resistance TB patients.

In his message, President Ram Nath Kovind has urged all stakeholders to come together to achieve a TB free India.

He said, consistent with the spirit of this year’s theme, India has renewed its commitments and intentions to end TB by 2025, five years ahead of the global targets.