The sudden focus on Covid-19 has had a significant negative impact on TB because in many countries the Covid-19 response has been built on or has utilised the TB response, says Grania Brigden.

The Union health ministry has stopped transferring money under the cash for nutrition scheme over the past few weeks and has written to all states asking them to submit reports of any cases of fraudulent transfers.

The WHO will be releasing new recommendations for the treatment of multidrug-resistant and rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis (MDR/RR-TB) later this year, which will speak in more detail about the usage of the new drugs bedaquiline and delamanid.

There is a need to move away from the 'germ theory' in treating infectious diseases and start focusing on the patient in a more wholesome manner.