New TB treatment will reduce burden of constantly taking pills, cost for infected patients

Treatment will initially be administered in Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Mozambique and Zimbabwe and seven other nations will follow later.

|Feb 04, 2021, 09:48:32 IST

A new tuberculosis treatment that slashes costs and the pill burden for patients will be rolled out in five high-incidence countries this year, international medical research body the Aurum Institute said Wednesday. TB -- a respiratory disease that is preventable and treatable yet kills more than 1.4 million people every year -- is chronically underfunded, with diagnosis and treatment failing to reach millions. It is currently the world's deadliest infectious disease, with progress to stop its spread unwound by the COVID-19 pandemic as restricted movement disrupted treatment."Enough treatments for up to three million patients are expected to be made available for eligible countries this year," Aurum said in a statement.The new two-drug regime will reduce the weekly pill intake for patients from nine to three. This is expected to enable better adherence and outcomes, Dr Tereza Kasaeva, the World Health Organisation's global TB programme director said.Treatment will initially be administered in Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Mozambique and Zimbabwe. Seven other nations will follow later.A deal cut between the manufacturer Macleods, Unitaid and the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) will cap the price at $15 for a three-month complete regime.Aurum Institute's CEO Gavin Churchyard said the new treatment regime coupled with the price reduction would hopefully help get their aim of eradicating TB by 2030 back on track."We lose in the end if Covid-19 mortality goes down, but TB rates go up," he warned.

10,000 steps a day is not enough: Top doctor explains the role of timing

Walking 10,000 steps a day is beneficial, but experts say timing matters. Short walks after meals and breaking up long periods of sitting may be more effective for blood sugar control and overall metabolic health

3 min read

What happens when you stop drinking tea for 30 days? Doctor explains the effects

Thinking of quitting tea for a month? Experts explain how cutting out caffeine can affect your body, from withdrawal symptoms in the first week to better sleep and improved iron absorption over time.

2 min read

Stroke is rising among young adults. Doctor explains why it's happening and what you must do

Stroke is increasingly affecting adults in their 30s, 40s and 50s. Experts say unhealthy lifestyles, undiagnosed high blood pressure and delayed treatment are driving the rise in younger stroke cases

3 min read

Stroke in young adults, silent symptoms and late diagnosis: India's growing brain health challenge

Neurologists warn that stroke is increasingly affecting people in their 30s and 40s, while many brain disorders progress silently before symptoms appear. They say early diagnosis, timely referrals and healthier lifestyles are key to reducing India's growing neurological disease burden.

5 min read

Brain tumours aren't always fatal, but delayed diagnosis can be: Experts explain the key warning signs

Brain tumours are frequently mistaken for common headaches, stress or age-related cognitive changes. Doctors say recognising warning signs early and adopting a brain-healthy lifestyle can improve outcomes and reduce the risk of long-term neurological complications.