Nagpur: More than 2,900 drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) patients underwent treatment at the Government Medical College and Superspeciality Hospital (GMCH)-Nagpur since 2007, with over 1,736 successfully treated or cured. A significant 60% of the patients had a history of alcohol use.Sharing the data ahead of World Tuberculosis Day, observed on March 24, GMCH Pulmonary Medicine Department head professor Dr Sushant Meshram said that alcohol abuse weakens immunity, making individuals more vulnerable to contracting the airborne disease.He said that 377 patients (around 13%) succumbed to the disease, while 265 patients defaulted on treatment. Currently, 262 patients remain under treatment, indicating sustained follow-up efforts by the centre. Nearly 70% of patients fall in the 15-44 age group. Men account for about 62% of the cases. Health experts said that a large number of patients were underweight, underlining the role of malnutrition alongside alcohol use in worsening outcomes.Healthcare professionals and students reiterated the importance of awareness, early diagnosis, and adherence to treatment under India’s National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP).Dr Meshram said, “A significant proportion of TB patients we see have associated risk factors like alcohol use and malnutrition. Addressing these is critical to improving treatment outcomes and reducing transmission.”He added that while the success rate of treatment is encouraging, challenges such as mortality and treatment default persist, requiring stronger patient counselling and support systems.The report also highlighted a growing shift towards all-oral treatment regimens for DR-TB, which are improving patient comfort and adherence by eliminating the need for injectable drugs.Meanwhile, extensively drug-resistant TB (XDR-TB) remains a serious concern. A total of 47 XDR-TB patients were treated at the centre, of which only 11 achieved cure or treatment completion, while 27 died, reflecting a high mortality rate of around 57%. Six patients defaulted from treatment. Most of these cases were also reported in the younger age group.Tuberculosis, an airborne infectious disease, spreads through droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes, and primarily affects the lungs.India continues to bear a significant share of the global TB burden, accounting for nearly 25–27% of cases. Maharashtra reports around 2.5 to 3 lakh cases annually, with Nagpur district contributing approximately 8,000 to 10,000 cases each year.NAGPUR DR-TB & XDR-TB DATA BOX DR-TB (MDR/RR-TB) Overview• Total patients initiated on treatment: 2,903• Successfully treated (cured + completed): 1,736+• Deaths: 377 (13%) • Default: 265 (9%) • Currently on treatment: 262 • Young age group (15–44 yrs): 70% • Male: 62% | Female: 38% • Patients on all-oral regimens: Increasing trend XDR-TB Overview • Total XDR patients treated: 47 • Cured: 8 • Treatment completed: 3 • Deaths: 27 (57%) • Default: 6 • Currently on treatment: 0 • Majority age group: 15–44 years • Male predominance (59%)(Data from GMC Superspeciality Hospital)
