The supersonic speed with which the COVID-19 vaccines (mRNA and others) were developed, clinically tested, and delivered to the world was spectacular! So the question is, why have we not done this for TB and other rare, neglected, and infectious diseases that kill millions worldwide? Indeed, a recent publication has asked the question, “Where are the RNA vaccines for TB?”

Till August 30th, 2021, a whopping number of 21.75 crore people have been known to be infected globally by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, and 45.19 lakh people have succumbed to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Research has shown that progressive fibrotic lung disease is one of the possible consequences of pulmonary pneumonia induced by the novel coronavirus and is one of the most worrisome complications following the recovery from the COVID-19. Considering its importance and sensitivity in the human body, lung performance is a good indicator of understanding the host tolerance to infectious diseases. Therefore, in lung functionality, the discussions revolving around pulmonary fibrosis are even more relevant.

TB survivors and affected communities are playing a vital role in India’s response to TB. TB survivors are best placed to understand the struggles of people with TB and their families and can play a significant role in complementing the interventions of the health system. In this issue, we are proud to feature profiles of TB survivor-Champions, from different backgrounds, with one thing in common - their courage to defeat TB and their determination to now play an active role in ending TB in India.

B Chinmayee is a classical Indian dancer from Odisha. After she was diagnosed with TB in 2017, about of TB meningitis left her paralyzed in a hospital, and she subsequently suffered a miscarriage.

Tupeshwari prefers to keep to herself, but she is hard to miss. She has strong convictions and stands by them. Tupeshwari is the president of a local political party in Dumri block and is active in community work. She is the mother of two children who are 20 and 18 years old. Her husband runs a furniture business in Goa.

Upendra Kumar is a tuberculosis survivor and Champion from Garhwa District in Jharkhand. In 2015, Upendra first developed symptoms of TB. He faced a lot of stigma and discrimination from his family and neighbours and tried to keep his TB diagnosis a secret. “I remember – I had been coughing for some time, and I thought it was a normal cough,” he recollects. Although his health didn’t improve, he did not tell his family as he thought they would get worried. Upendra happened to meet a health worker in the neighbourhood, and they discussed his condition. On the health worker’s advice, he went to the Primary Health Centre (PHC) in Ramna, where he was eventually diagnosed with TB.