Deputy Commissioner Mandya Kumar said the number of tuberculosis cases in the district has been steadily decreasing.
Mr. Kumar, who presided over a meeting of the district-level tuberculosis forum in Mandya on Monday, said that a total of 710 patients are currently being treated for tuberculosis in the district.
Expressing satisfaction over the continuous year-on-year decline in the number of cases in the district, Mr. Kumar said that tuberculosis cases have seen a 20% reduction between 2015 and 2022. The Central Tuberculosis Division has awarded bronze medal to Mandya district in 2022, he pointed out.
While directing officials to take all necessary measures to eradicate tuberculosis in the district, Mr. Kumar said that free screening was being conducted for diabetics, smokers, cancer patients, elderly, children and malnourished persons, among others, showing symptoms of tuberculosis.
Mandya District currently has four CBNAAT (Cartridge-based Nucleic Acid Amplification Test) machines that can detect tuberculosis in just two hours using a patient’s sputum sample, Kumar said.
For patients with confirmed tuberculosis, ASHA workers provide drugs for six months free of charge and ensure that patients take the prescribed doses regularly. Taking the drug for at least ten days can prevent the infection from spreading to others, the deputy commissioner said, while stressing that patients suffering from tuberculosis must stay in well-ventilated areas and wear masks.
Under the Centre’s ‘Nikshay Poshan Yojana’, TB patients are given ₹1,000 per month to support their nutritional needs, he said.
Mr. Kumar said that efforts are being made every year to create tuberculosis-free gram panchayats in the district. “Villages with a small number of tuberculosis cases that meet specific criteria are recognized as tuberculosis-free villages,” he said.
A total of 16 gram panchayats have been declared TB-free in 2023, while 41 gram panchayats have received the label in 2024. It is estimated that 67 gram panchayats will be declared TB-free this year, he said, while suggesting that efforts should be made to declare the entire taluk TB-free.
TB Champions
Mr. Kumar advised people who have successfully recovered from tuberculosis to act as “tuberculosis champions” by spreading awareness and motivating current patients to complete treatment.
He also urged people to use social media platforms to raise public awareness about tuberculosis.
Mandya District Family Welfare Officer K. Mohan, Tuberculosis Eradication Officer Ashalatha and other officials were also present on the occasion.
Published – 28 Oct 2025 21:13 IST
