SRINAGAR: The latest data on tuberculosis (TB) cases in Jammu and Kashmir has raised concerns, particularly regarding the age group most affected by the disease. According to the information provided in the Lok Sabha, TB continues to be a major health issue in the region, with a notable proportion of cases detected in individuals between the ages of 15 and 30 years.
In 2023, Jammu and Kashmir recorded a total of 11,754 TB cases, with 923 deaths attributed to the disease. In the first ten months of 2024, up to October, 10,442 cases have been detected, and 723 deaths have occurred. The numbers indicate a slight decrease in both the total number of cases and the death rate in 2024 compared to the previous year.
The data also highlights the percentage of TB cases in different age groups at the time of detection in both 2023 and 2024. In 2023, the highest percentage of cases (27 per cent) was found in the 15 to 30 age group, followed closely by the 60-plus age group at 25 per cent. The remaining cases were spread across other age groups, with 22 per cent in the 31 to 45 age group, 21 per cent in the 46 to 60 age group, and only 5 per cent in the 0 to 14 age group.
In 2024, the situation remains similar, with 28 per cent of cases detected in the 15 to 30 age group. This percentage represents a slight increase from the previous year, further underscoring the prominence of TB in younger populations. The 60-plus age group saw a marginal increase to 26 per cent in 2024, while other groups saw slight decreases: 21 per cent in the 31 to 45 age group, 20 per cent in the 46 to 60 group, and 5 per cent in the 0 to 14 group.
One of the notable findings in the data is that younger individuals seem to fare better in terms of survival compared to older populations. While the data does not explicitly state recovery rates, it is suggested that the younger population (particularly those aged 0-14 and 15-30) are less likely to succumb to the disease compared to older individuals. The death rate in 2024 was 723, a decrease from the 923 deaths reported in 2023, indicating that while TB remains a serious health issue, the survival rates for those diagnosed may be improving, particularly for younger patients.
The government has been actively working to curb TB cases through various health initiatives, and the Ni-Kshay portal plays a significant role in tracking and managing the treatment of TB patients. The portal, which records and monitors TB cases across the country, provides crucial data on the disease’s prevalence and helps ensure timely treatment and interventions.
Despite the decline in deaths from 2023 to 2024, TB remains a major public health challenge in Jammu and Kashmir, particularly among the younger population. Public health officials and doctors have stressed the importance of early detection and treatment, especially for those in the most affected age groups.
The data on TB in Jammu and Kashmir highlights a troubling trend: the disease is predominantly affecting individuals in the 15 to 30 age group, with this cohort consistently representing the highest percentage of cases detected. While the younger population appears to have a better survival rate, the high incidence of TB among them calls for increased awareness and preventive measures. The government’s efforts, including the use of the Ni-Kshay portal, are crucial in tackling the disease, but more focused interventions may be necessary to curb the spread of TB, particularly among the youth.
