Stress on new, long-lasting vaccine for TB: V-P

Hyderabad: Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu has called for developing a new and long-lasting vaccine to combat TB, which was one of the top 10 causes of death worldwide in 2018.

Inaugurating 'The 50th Union World Conference on Lung Health' in Hyderabad on Wednesday, he referred to the contention that the effect of BCG vaccine being administered for TB does not last for many years and said there was an absolute need for a booster vaccine or a new vaccine that is effective and long-lasting.

He expressed happiness that the Indian government has initiated trials for testing new candidate vaccines. Lifestyle disorders such as diabetes also increase the risk of TB, he pointed out.

Stressing the need for improved diagnostics to detect TB in organs other than lungs, he said that TB treatment saved around 58 million lives globally between 2000 and 2018 and the TB mortality rate fell by 42% during that period.

Expressing concern over the rising incidence of respiratory and lung-related diseases due to air pollution, he observed that exposure to ambient air pollution could lead to reduced lung function, respiratory infections and aggravated asthma.

Lauding the Union government for adopting a multi-sectoral and community-led approach to eliminate TB from India by the year 2025, Naidu urged the private sector to step up its efforts towards achieving the goal of eliminating TB by actively collaborating with the government.

Stating that Government of India was at the forefront of global action to end the emergency on account of the prevalence of Lung Disease and Tuberculosis, he said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has pledged a firm commitment to eradicate TB by the year 2025.

Describing Telangana as a dynamic and growing hub for innovative medical science and biomedical industry, the Vice President called upon the business leaders in the State to play a more pro-active role in supporting Research and Development in treatment, care and prevention of TB.

Governor Dr Tamilisai Soundararajan, Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Ashwini Kumar Chowbey, Telangana Health Minister Eatala Rajender and members of International Union against TB also took part. The four-day conference is being attended by the delegates from 130 countries.