More than 40% of India's population harbors tuberculosis(TB) bacteria despite testing negative in microbiological screenings, according to Dr. Sudarsan Pothal, professor at Sri Jagannath Medical College, Puri.

Speaking at a World TB Week event at IMS and SUM Hospital, Bhubaneswar, he emphasized that while only 10% of carriers develop active TB, asymptomatic cases continue to spread the disease unnoticed.

Dr. Pothal stressed the importance of mass screening to detect latent TB, recommending the use of portable X-ray machines for early identification. 'Silent carriers will keep transmitting TB unless proactive measures are taken to halt its spread,' he stated.

Highlighting advancements in treatment, he pointed out that the BPaLM regimen—a combination of Bedaquiline (B), Pretomanid (Pa), Linezolid (L), and Moxifloxacin (M)—has revolutionized TB care. The new approach is not only safer and more effective but also significantly shortens treatment duration to 26-38 weeks.

Renowned thoracic surgeon Dr. Mohan Venkatesh Pulle noted that before the 1940s, TB treatment relied solely on surgery, shaping the development of thoracic surgery over the past century.

The event also featured insights from IMS and SUM Hospital's medical superintendent, Dr. Pusparaj Samantasinghar, and Odisha Chest Society president, Dr. Banani Jena, who emphasized the urgency of improved TB control strategies.