World TB Day 2025: Theme, History, Significance And How India Observes It – News18
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World TB Day 2025: Tuberculosis is often spread through the air via airborne particles released during sneezing, coughing, or spitting by infected individuals.
World TB Day 2025: Tuberculosis is both preventable and treatable. (Image: Shutterstock)
World TB Day 2025: Tuberculosis (TB), the world’s deadliest infectious disease, remains a significant global threat, causing severe health, social, and economic consequences. To underscore the urgency of eradicating TB, World Tuberculosis Day is observed annually on March 24. This day serves as a crucial reminder of the ongoing fight against bacterial infection, which primarily affects the lungs.
TB spreads through airborne particles released when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or spits. Fortunately, it is both preventable and treatable. As we mark this year’s World Tuberculosis Day, let’s explore its theme, history, significance, and how India commemorates the occasion.
World TB Day 2025 Theme
The theme for World Tuberculosis Day 2025 is “Yes! We Can End TB: Commit, Invest, Deliver.” This theme emphasises the importance of sustained commitment, financial investment, and effective delivery of interventions critical to TB prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and care.
World TB Day 2025: History
The history of World Tuberculosis Day dates back centuries. The term “tuberculosis” was first coined by Johann Schönlein in 1834, though the disease, caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, has existed for millions of years, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Throughout history, TB has been known by various names. The Greeks called it phthisis, the Hebrews schachepheth, and the Romans tabes. In the 1700s and 1800s, it was commonly referred to as the “white plague” or “consumption” due to its tendency to make people appear pale and emaciated.
A major breakthrough came on March 24, 1882, when Dr. Robert Koch discovered Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacterium responsible for the disease. More than a century later, World Tuberculosis Day was established on the same date to honour this discovery.
The day serves as a global platform to raise awareness about the impact of TB and promote efforts to prevent its spread.
World TB Day 2025: Significance
World Tuberculosis Day holds immense significance as it raises public awareness about the devastating health, social, and economic impact of TB. It serves as a global rallying point to intensify efforts in combating the tuberculosis epidemic. By educating communities and fostering activism, the day helps mobilize resources and support for TB prevention, diagnosis, and treatment initiatives worldwide.
Additionally, World TB Day unites governments, communities, and health organizations in their commitment to eradicating TB. It underscores the need for equitable access to quality care for all affected individuals, reinforcing the global pledge to end the epidemic.
World TB Day 2025: How India Observes It
- Raise Awareness: Share information about tuberculosis, its causes, symptoms, prevention, and treatment with people and villages unaware of this deadly disease.
- Support Organisations: You can also donate to or volunteer with organisations working to end TB.
- Promote Early Detection: Support policies and initiatives that address TB and encourage people to get tested for TB if they have symptoms, as early detection can help cure this disease.
- Join the Conversation: Use social media and other platforms to share information and engage in discussions about the disease.
