Last year, Nidhi Bansal was appointed as Country Director for The Union India Office. Nidhi has worked extensively in India on pressing social development challenges and in several countries across Asia, Africa and North America on issues spanning health, education, livelihoods and humanitarian response.
Nidhi was recently interviewed on The Good Sight podcast, in an episode titled ‘Breathing Hope: Tackling TB & Lung Disease in India’.
During the episode Nidhi shared her insights on a variety of topics, including India's unique challenges in tackling TB and lung disease, the importance of storytelling, breaking the stigma, the goal to end TB by 2030 and what gives Nidhi hope in the fight against TB.
Be sure to listen to the podcast, but if you don't have time here are a few highlights from Nidhi's interview.
Speaking about how we break the stigma of TB, Nidhi said: “What is most important is to correct the whole idea of fear into hope – making sure that the message that goes out is not one of fear and dread, but one of hope and fight.”
When asked about the possibility of ending TB by 2030, Nidhi stated: “It is an ambitious goal, it is overpowering, but it is achievable with sustained efforts… We need to focus on four critical areas.”
- Early detection – “It is extremely crucial that every case of TB infection is detected as early as possible… Expanding people’s access to rapid diagnostic tools is a key gamechanger in this regard.”
- Treatment adherence – “One of the major barriers and challenges for India’s health system is lack of adherence to treatment… What is encouraging is new, shorter regimens are now coming available, which makes it more likely that patients are going to complete their treatment.”
- Multisectoral response – “While TB is a public health concern, in India it is not possible that any single sector is going to be able to address is this. We need every part of society and community to play their part in this fight.”
- “More research and innovation, more investment in new TB vaccines, shorter treatment regimens and tools to combat drug-resistant TB.”
Towards the end of the episode Nidhi was asked “What gives you hope in this fight? What are the most promising developments or innovations that could significantly turn the tide against TB and lung diseases in India?”
Nidhi began her response with: “What drives my hope is the resilience of people and the system." She went on to talk about the advancements we are seeing, in terms of ultraportable chest x-rays with AI-powered diagnostics and portable molecular tests that are improving early detection and accuracy, and promising vaccine candidates that could “revolutionise the prevention efforts”.
Nidhi went on to talk about the importance of community empowerment, saying: “There is a clear acknowledgment that the fight against TB is not only a clinical fight, but also about engaging communities. Empowering them to take on the fight themselves and support each other.”
“And on top of it all what makes me very hopeful is our Government’s commitment.”
Nidhi concluded: “It is the collective effort of healthcare workers, policy makers, researchers and communities that fuels my optimism. Together we can envisage an India free from TB and lung diseases, where no one is left behind.”