Topic 1 : Taking on TB
Introduction: A major challenge for any country’s TB elimination programme is to make sure that cases are reported. A patient falling outside the screening and treatment network is not only harmful to the individual concerned, it also exposes her contacts to the risk of infection.
About Tuberculosis
- TB is caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis, belonging to the Mycobacteriaceae family consisting of about 200 members.
- Some of Mycobacteria cause diseases like TB and Leprosy in humans and others infect a wide range of animals.
- In humans, TB most commonly affects the lungs (pulmonary TB), but it can also affect other organs (extra-pulmonary TB).
- TB is a treatable and curable disease.
- TB is spread from person to person through the air. When people with lung TB cough, sneeze or spit, they propel the TB germs into the air.
Why underreporting of TB was a concern for India?
- Under-reporting of cases has, for long, been a major hurdle for India’s anti-TB programme.
- It’s, therefore, assuring that the latest factsheet on the disease in the country, the India TB Report 2024, shows that the gap between the estimated number and actual TB cases is closing.
- India has attained its 2023 target of initiating treatment in 95 per cent of patients diagnosed with the infection.
India’s anti-TB programme
- The government has set an ambitious target to eliminate the disease in the country by next year.
- Despite the anti-TB programme’s appreciable success in the past two years, the country does not seem to be on course to attain this target.
- The disease’s multi-drug resistant (MDR) version has assumed epidemic proportions.
- The latest India TB Report shows significant progress in charting this severe version of the disease.
- Close to 60 per cent of those diagnosed were offered a test to check whether their infection was resistant to the first-line drugs, an increase from 25 per cent in 2015.
- In the coming months, the health authorities should reach out to more patients to ascertain the numbers of those whose illness requires the administration of second-line drugs.
How to tackle the multi-drug resistant (MDR) TB?
- In recent years, experts have been recommending the use of molecular testing because microscopy cannot detect all MDR cases.
- But by all accounts, this state-of-the-art diagnostics is still not the predominant testing method in the country.
- Although several drug regimens are available for MDR-TB, these are demanding on patients.
- A growing body of scholarship shows that less than 60 per cent of patients who require a second-line treatment complete the full course of medicines.
- Experts, therefore, suggest a transition to the short-duration drug, bedaquiline.
- India’s patent office’s decision, last year, to not renew Johnson and Johnson’s copyright on this drug should enable the domestic industry to step in and develop cheaper generic versions.
- In recent years, mental healthcare has increasingly been seen as a critical part of TB treatment and epidemiologists have been advising physicians to handhold patients through the exacting therapy — this rarely happens in the country.
- Though TB can affect all social classes, records show that the poor, slum dwellers, and HIV/AIDS patients are the most affected.
Conclusion: The latest factsheet on the disease is encouraging. Much more needs to be done to defeat the scourge. In the coming months, the country’s planners should deploy a combination of state-of-the-art technology and humane methods to build on the gains of last year.
Topic 2 : Africa at the centre
Introduction: During her latest visit to Mauritius from March 11-13, President Droupadi Murmu described it as “a close maritime neighbour, a cherished partner in the Indian Ocean Region, and a key player in our Africa outreach”.
Global South and Africa’s significance in that
- While India works towards institutionalising the concept of the Global South, differing views exist regarding its effectiveness.
- Some view it as a force for change, advocating for a more inclusive global governance structure.
- Others critique it for oversimplifying a complex world order.
- Despite that, the term’s utility in the transition to multipolarity cannot be ignored.
- As India situates itself as one of the leading voices of the Global South, it can be argued that it needs to centre African countries in its engagement with the developing world.
- The rationale behind this is- Africa’s significant growth rate of 3.8 per cent and its young population, with 60 per cent under the age of 25, is estimated to reach 1.1 billion people by 2040.
Opportunities for India to improve relations with Africa
As India navigates an evolving global landscape, a multifaceted relationship with Africa offers significant opportunities.
1. Large economic partnerships potential
- Indian investments in Africa reached $98 billion in 2023, with trade totalling $100 billion.
- Forty-two African countries are the second-largest recipients of all credit extended by India.
- Around 200 developmental projects have been completed in the region.
- Indian social enterprises and NGOs are exporting low-cost, scalable solutions, from eco-friendly houses to rural women solar engineers.
2. African nations combined numerical strength is significant at any multilateral forum
- Africa’s influence in global forums will be important for India’s vision for global governance.
- As Africa houses three-fourths of humanity and over 39 per cent of the global GDP, there’s a call to reform existing structures towards a more inclusive system focused on development.
- New Delhi’s advocacy for the African Union in the G20 has found resonance.
How India should pursue development cooperation with Africa?
- An analysis of sustainable development cooperation presents two ideas — one sectoral and the other thematic — vital for Africa’s forthcoming decades of growth.
- Developing synergies in these areas aligns with India’s interests.
1. Cooperation in the critical mineral sector
- To build solar panels and batteries necessary for a low-carbon future, access to minerals classified as “critical”, “transition” or “green” is key.
- Africa, with 30 per cent of the world’s mineral reserves, is vital to power the energy transition.
- Given the geographical concentration of critical minerals, diversifying sources and fostering strategic partnerships with resource-rich nations are imperative for India’s growth and national security.
- As New Delhi prepares for what the International Energy Agency terms “the dawn of a new industrial age”, the convergence of India’s supply chain diversification and Africa’s desire to capture the value chain introduces avenues for cooperation.
2. Cooperation in building the technical capability of the African workforce
- Given India’s longstanding commitment to education and capacity building in Africa, New Delhi could revamp existing collaborations or establish new ones with African technical organisations.
- This endeavour would bolster negotiation skills, training in project management, and devising industry-specific technical courses.
- Indian research institutes engaging with Africa’s research community can facilitate the creation of solutions to address Global South challenges.
Conclusion: In this era of geopolitical competition and realignment, India’s multifaceted relationship with African nations is poised for a fundamental transformation. As India’s aspirations for the Global South take shape, leveraging historical partnerships with African countries remains imperative.