Books & Policy Briefs
Books
Nine Lives this book amplifies the stories of nine women battling tuberculosis, a disease that disproportionately affects marginalized communities in India. The narratives reveal systemic failures, stigma, and resilience in the face of a health crisis that kills 485,000 Indians annually
Chapal Mehra has repeatedly framed India’s tuberculosis (TB) epidemic as a "ticking time bomb" -a slow-motion disaster fuelled by systemic neglect, drug resistance, and suffering. Tuberculosis-India’s Ticking Time Bomb: The Survivors’ Manifesto, amplifies the voices of TB survivors while exposing the gaps in India’s response to the world’s deadliest infectious disease
Voices from TB is a collection of narratives that document the lived experience of individuals and families affected by TB, but in a way that it was true to the lives described by them. It shows the grit, determination and triumph of their spirit but also demonstrates the numerous challenges that continue to face those affected by TB.
Policy Breifs
This policy brief highlights the urgent need to address the strong yet neglected link between tuberculosis and mental health in India. With nearly 74% of TB-affected individuals experiencing mental health challenges, the lack of integrated care worsens treatment outcomes. The brief urges policymakers to recognise TB and mental health as comorbidities, integrate mental health support into TB care, and promote awareness and digital interventions to ensure complete recovery, both physical and mental, for TB patients.
This policy brief emphasizes the urgent need for high-quality, person-centred TB care in India. While progress has been made in diagnosis and treatment, systemic issues like stigma, poverty, and gender disparities continue to hinder outcomes. High-quality TB care must be accessible, affordable, empathetic, and rooted in the lived realities of affected individuals. The brief calls on policymakers to integrate mental health support, address social determinants, and involve communities in shaping care. By doing so, India can ensure TB care is not only clinically effective but also dignified, inclusive, and transformative.