World Tuberculosis Day: President Pranab Mukherjee urges stakeholders to redouble efforts to eliminate TB

New Delhi: On the occasion of World Tuberculosis Day, President Pranab Mukherjee on Friday asked all stakeholders to redouble their efforts in eliminating tuberculosis in the country.

"Happy to learn that World Tuberculosis Day is being observed on March 24. TB continues to be one of the major health challenges in India," Mukherjee tweeted.

"I call upon all stakeholders to redouble their efforts for an early achievement of goal of TB elimination," he wrote.

I call upon all stakeholders to redouble their efforts for an early achievement of goal of TB elimination #PresidentMukherjee — President of India (@RashtrapatiBhvn) March 24, 2017

Health experts believe lack of knowledge in general population along with social inequities has been a major reason for increase in number of TB patients in India, which has the highest number of TB cases globally – 25% of all cases.

According to reports, TB is estimated to kill 4,80,000 Indians every year. However, it is believed that these numbers are under-represented and the mortality due to the diseas could be around 5,00,000 a year.

(With IANS inputs)