According to the state health department, at least 121 people have died of tuberculosis (TB) and 1,870 individuals have been diagnosed with the disease in Mizoram since January, up until October 10.
Data accessed by the media from the department shows that out of 97,647 blood samples tested across the state, 1,870 people, including 744 females, were found to be suffering from tuberculosis. The department’s figures also noted that 121 people were diagnosed with Multi-Drug Resistant Tuberculosis (MDR-TB), and a further 211 were suffering from both TB and HIV-positive status during the same period. Encouragingly, 82 per cent of all patients have been successfully treated, the data confirmed.
Of the total number of infected individuals, 1,761 were aged over 14 years, with 104 being below the age of 14. Health officials expressed concern over a gradual increase in both the fatality rate and the number of TB patients recorded since 2020. They detailed the rising death toll: 31 people died of TB in 2020, rising to 46 in 2021, 87 in 2022, 119 in 2023, and 136 in 2024.
In total, at least 540 people have died due to TB over the last five years, during which time more than 11,000 people have been diagnosed with the illness. The highest number of cases, 2,307, was reported in 2024, followed by 2,115 in 2023.
Separately, health officials mentioned that over 100 people have registered to adopt or donate to TB patients via the online platform "Nikshay," which is part of the Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan (Prime Minister’s TB-Free India Campaign).
This initiative was launched by President Droupadi Murmu in September 2022 and is designed to boost community involvement in meeting India’s ambitious commitment to eradicate TB by 2025, a goal set ahead of the global target of 2030.
Also read: Over 4,100 ILPs issued since Mizoram rail line launch
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