Despite India’s ambitious goal to eliminate Tuberculosis (TB) by 2025—five years ahead of the global target— intriguingly there are no national guidelines for routine TB screening and surveillance among healthcare workers deeply involved in treatment, placing medical staff at a significantly higher risk of contracting multidrug-resistant TB strains than in the general population, flags a study.
It reached this disturbing conclusion after analysing data from ten separate studies conducted between 2004 and 2024. It found an average prevalence of 2,391.6 cases per 100,000 healthcare workers in India, starkly contrasting with the 300 cases per 100,000 in the general population.
The study “Prevalence of Tuberculosis Among Healthcare Workers in India: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.” also noted that inadequate ventilation, insufficient personal protective equipment, and frequent exposure to MDR among others are severely affecting the well-being of medical staff with the infection.
Given that TB remains a critical public health challenge globally, particularly in high-burden countries like India—accounting for approximately one-fourth of the global TB cases— the authors emphasised the need for guidelines specifically targeting high-risk groups such as medical trainees and those in high-exposure departments.
Dr. Jugal Kishore, Director and Professor in the Department of Community Medicine at Safdarjung Hospital highlighted the alarming incidence of TB among healthcare workers (HCWs) as indicative of broader systemic vulnerabilities within healthcare infrastructure.
Dr Ravindra Nath from Teerthanker Mahaveer University, Moradabad, Dr Pranav Ish, Dr Aninda Debnath, and Dr Nitin Panwar, from VMMC and Safdarjung Hospital, and Dr Anirban Bhaumik from Dr Baba Saheb Ambedkar Medical College and Hospital, Delhi are other authors of the study.
Dr Kishore lamented that despite the acknowledged risks, comprehensive epidemiological data on TB among HCWs in India is sparse and often inconsistent. This points to significant occupational hazards that are often overlooked in the healthcare sector, he added, stressing various measures as essential to “save the savior” and protect those on the front lines of the fight against the deadly superbugs.
‘The frequency of exposure to the pathogen is often compounded by the presence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) TB strains. These strains not only complicate treatment but also highlight the critical need for stringent infection control measures in healthcare facilities.
The study has also stressed routine TB screening for all HCWs, especially those in high-risk roles, to facilitate early intervention and reduce transmission besides, holding ongoing training programs to raise awareness about its risks and the importance of preventive practices. “For instance, despite the high threat, many HCWs do not consistently use PPE, such as N95 masks, particularly in high-exposure areas,” said Dr Kishore.
He emphasisd that national guidelines should include investments in better ventilation systems and dedicated isolation rooms to curb TB transmission in healthcare settings and stressed the importance of providing adequate nutrition, mental health services, and support for managing work-related stress, which are crucial for reducing healthcare workers’ vulnerability to TB.
