A new study has revealed that healthcare workers (HCWs) in India are significantly more susceptible to tuberculosis (TB) compared to the general population. The analysis, which reviewed 10 studies conducted between 2004 and 2023, found an average prevalence of 2,391.6 TB cases per 100,000 HCWs, starkly contrasting to the 300 cases per 100,000 in the general population. This high rate is exacerbated by frequent exposure to multidrug-resistant (MDR) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) TB strains, particularly affecting laboratory technicians, doctors, and nurses.
The findings highlight systemic vulnerabilities in healthcare infrastructure, including poor ventilation and inconsistent use of personal protective equipment (PPE), which elevate the risk of airborne transmission. The study emphasized the need for comprehensive national guidelines to routinely screen and monitor TB among HCWs,…
