Special Correspondent: Arun Sharma | East Delhi, Shahdara

Dr. Bindu Mehra Behl, CMO at Polyclinic and Chest Clinic and DTO at Chest Clinic Shahdara, has expressed strong optimism about Delhi’s progress in combating tuberculosis (TB), stating that the national capital is steadily moving towards eliminating the disease.


“We have made very encouraging progress in recent years,” Dr. Behl said. “The death rate due to TB has declined by nearly 25%, while the overall incidence has reduced by around 21%. These figures clearly reflect a significant public health achievement.”


She attributed much of this success to the government’s End TB Programme, which has brought a more structured and targeted approach to disease control. “We are now working with clearly defined parameters. We identify gaps—whether in prevention, early diagnosis, or treatment—and address them with focused interventions,” she explained.


Emphasizing prevention as a key pillar, Dr. Behl highlighted the role of TB Preventive Treatment (TPT). “This is administered to family members of TB patients as a three-month course, with close monitoring at the household level. It significantly reduces the risk of infection among close contacts,” she noted.

Early detection mechanisms have also seen major improvements. “We are actively screening vulnerable populations. Sputum testing has been expanded, and with advanced technologies like CBNAAT, diagnosis is now faster and more accurate,” she added.
However, she raised concerns over multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB), stressing that incomplete treatment remains the primary cause. “Patients must never discontinue medication midway, even if they begin to feel better. Adherence to the full course of treatment is absolutely critical,” Dr. Behl cautioned.


She further explained that while drug-sensitive TB is treated with a standard four-drug regimen, resistance makes treatment far more complex. “Technologies such as TrueNat and CBNAAT are now helping in the early detection of drug resistance, enabling timely and effective intervention,” she said.


Concluding on a hopeful note, Dr. Bindu Mehra Behl stated, “With sustained awareness, improved patient compliance, and strong public health efforts, we are on the right path. If this momentum continues, TB elimination in Delhi is not just an ambition—it is an achievable reality.”