J&K, Ladakh report 417 TB deaths in 2024

New Delhi, Mar 28: Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh recorded a total of 417 Tuberculosis (TB) deaths in 2024, according to data presented by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in the Lok Sabha.
The figures include 408 TB-related deaths in J&K and 9 in Ladakh. India has seen a 17.7% decline in TB incidence from 237 per 100,000 population in 2015 to 195 per 100,000 in 2023.
The government has set a target to eliminate TB by 2025, but challenges remain in several states, including J&K and Ladakh, where geographical barriers, limited healthcare access, and winter disruptions affect treatment.
The central and UT governments continue to strengthen TB detection and treatment mechanisms in J&K and Ladakh. However, experts stress the need for early diagnosis, increased access to medicines, and better healthcare infrastructure to meet the 2025 TB elimination deadline. (KNO)