Dimapur district continues to top the list of TB cases in the state with an estimated 1,963 patients in 2024 where a total of 45 were registered as death cases and 104 as Lost to Follow-Up (LFU).
Recent reports from January-September 2025 indicate that Dimapur state has approximately 1,378+ tuberculosis patients in Nagaland. A total of 15+ TB-related deaths and 16 LFU were recorded during January-September 2025.
The total aggregate number of TB cases for both years in Dimapur for 2024-25 till date is 3,341+ patients in Dimapur.
Most of the reason for TB cases registered is mostly due to HIV, Malnutrition, Hepatitis, Organ transplant, and through airborne contact through the infected person. The age group mostly infected with TB in Dimapur is middle age and old age individuals mostly due to weak immunity system and other health issues.
It was found that the male individuals are mostly infected with TB then female individuals due to consumption of intoxicated substances like alcohol and drugs which is a significant risk factor for developing and worsening tuberculosis.
The Dimapur district TB centre was first started on December 1, 2004 and since then new cases were detected every year through the centre.
Currently, there are 11 TB diagnostic centres in Dimapur (Niuland and Chümoukedima included) where 8 TB centres are Government sector and 3 TB centres are Private sector.
National Tuberculosis Elimination Program (NTEP) launched an intensified TB campaign started in the month of January 2025 and will further continue till December 2025 to reduce TB deaths and prevent new cases.
The infrastructural setup of NTEP includes Centre – 4 TB Units – 11 Designated Microscopy Centres with co located ICTC/F-ICTC – 57 Peripheral Health Institutes – 78 DOT Centres.
The services under NTEP provide Basics Dots (free TB drugs for drug sensitive TB patients), Dots Plus (free MDR TB drugs) and 99 Dots (free TB drugs for co-infected HIV TB patients).
The Government provides free medicines which are WHO (World Health Organization) certified and financial support for TB patients encouraging local leaders to take advantage of these resources to strengthen the healthcare response.
The NTEP also provides co-morbidity activities including screening for Diabetes Mellitus, HIV, Malnutrition, Tobacco/ Alcohol usage, etc.
The NTEP with effect from November 2024 provides a direct benefit transfer incentive to TB patients through Nikshay Poshan Yojana which is a nutritional support of Rs 1000 every month and Tribal Allowance of Rs 750 given to all TB patients.
Tuberculosis most commonly affects adults in their most productive years of 25-54 though children under 5 are at higher risk of severe disease and older adults of 65 and above face increased risk due to weakened immune systems. The male are at higher risk of TB cases than female according to the updated report.
Active case finding for vulnerable population, awareness on TB to elect representatives, wall painting, poster campaign, training to TB champions and sensitization and enrollment of Nikshay Mitras are carried out on daily basis as a part of the NTEP. The Government stands ready to support efforts in combating the disease and prevention measures to communities with collective efforts at the grassroots level.
Tuberculosis (TB) progresses through three main stages: Primary infection/Exposure, where the bacteria are first inhaled; Latent TB Infection, where the bacteria are present but dormant and non-contagious, with the immune system controlling them; and Active TB Disease, where the bacteria multiply, spread, and cause symptoms, becoming contagious and requiring treatment.
