Tuberculosis in India: A Political Ecology Approach

In India TB was identified as an infectious disease in 1902 at British Congress on Tuberculosis. Since then it continues to be the major killer. Incorrect policies and lack of investments led to spatial spread. In India, TB is a social stigma not a disease. Interaction of the disease with itinerant populations, homelessness, poverty and migration provides a challenge for control. Studies in this regard concentrated more on patient and immediate environment; ecological and political structure remained untouched. The author attempts to integrate political economy framework and disease ecology framework with due emphasis on individual's perception and tries to interrogate "victim blaming" in health paradigm. The book is expected to be useful for health professionals, planners and policy-makers, who are sceptical of taking the view of patients into decision making process. This book will be useful to all those who want to understand the disease in broader perspective beyond bio-medical realm and are willing to accept the role of historical, ecological, political, social and cultural factors (which are beyond quantification) rather than reverting to the practice of "victim blaming."