Kochi Corporation to introduce nutritional kits as part of TB eradication efforts

Kochi Corporation will introduce a patient nutrition kit component as part of TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan.

The announcement followed a presentation of the campaign — aimed at making Ernakulam district TB-free by next year — held last week for councilors. Ernakulam is among the five areas earmarked for the pilot project.

“We will provide a set of nutrients for those diagnosed with tuberculosis (TB) during the campaign by drawing on corporate social responsibility funds,” Mayor VK Minimol said. The presentation highlighted the importance of these kits, with TB units tasked with providing a list of recipients. Local organizations like Kalamassery, already declared as TB Mukt, distributed kits worth around ₹1,500.

Camps will be organized within the Kochi Corporation limits to trace TB patients and extend treatment to them and their contacts within the first three months of detection. “The camps will follow a three-tiered strategy – screening tests, sputum collection and X-rays – targeting the vulnerable and high-risk categories. The primary aim will be to fill the gaps in conducting X-rays by the end of this month,” said Anju Angel Alex, doctor in-charge of the TB unit at Ernakulam General Hospital.

For a district to be declared TB Mukt, 30 out of 1,000 persons must be tested, the positivity rate should be less than 1 per thousand and the cure rate must reach 90%. As part of the campaign, testing and treatment will be free for patients and their contacts.

Those interested in the privacy of screening in government institutions can also approach private hospitals covered by the TB Elimination in Private Centers Scheme (STEPS) to access free tests and treatment.

The camps will be held within the limits of 19 Municipal Primary Health Centers in Kochi Corporation. People susceptible to TB infection but without obvious symptoms will be given 12 weeks of preventive TB treatment to ensure they do not fall victim to the disease in later years when they become physically vulnerable.

Published – 13 Sep 2026 21:25 IST