In 2018, India articulated its noble ambition to eliminate TB by 2025, five years before the global target. But news reports show we aren’t even close to that goal.

TB continues to impact the lives of over 28 lakh people, with 4 lakh people succumbing to the disease each year! Lack of awareness about TB, breeds and reinforces stigma and discrimination that acts as barriers to those who need to seek care.

One of the most commendable things about the response to the novel Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic currently underway, is how well key information has been shared worldwide. Despite misinformation from multiple quarters, the sharing of messaging has been sensitive, informative and highly effective in helping communities protect themselves.

Blessina Kumar's speech delivered at the 22nd International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2018), Amsterdam, the Netherlands, 27 July 2018.

Blessina Kumar's speech on behalf of the TB community delivered at the 5th Global Forum on TB Vaccines, New Delhi, India, 20 February 2018.

Blessina Kumar's talk on behalf of the TB community delivered at the Global Ministerial Conference on TB, Moscow, Russia, 16 November 2017.

World TB Day commemoration events for 2016 have just concluded. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare announced that bedaquiline, the first new TB drug in over 40 years, will be now available in India. It had been given accelerated approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in December 2012. Announcing its availability, the Ministry indicated it would be available only at six sites; in the first lot, only 600 doses will come.

We need support to train, equip and empower civil society leaders to form a movement that stretches both within and beyond national borders.

Civil society demands transparency and uninterrupted supply of TB medicines.

Patients, TB organisations, treatment providers, medical practitioners, health NGOs, public interest groups, and treatment activists urge the Indian Prime Minister to take immediate steps to urgently address the issues of drug stockouts in India's TB programme.