World TB day: 147 GPs in Mysuru district declared TB free

Mysuru Even as World Tuberculosis (TB) day was observed on Tuesday, as many as 147 Gram Panchayats in Mysuru district were declared TB free under the 'TB Mukt Panchayat' initiative of Government of India, taken up by the Health and Family Welfare department of Mysuru district in 2025. 

Those TB free GPs include 23 GPs in T Narsipura taluk; 25 GPs each in Hunsur and K R Nagar taluks ; 15 GPs in H D Kote; eight GPs in Sarguru; and 22 in Nanjangud; 20 in Periyapatna.

The PDOs (Panchayat Development Officers) of few of these GPs were felicitated during the World TB day event in Mysuru, on Tuesday. The PDOs of all 256 GPs of Mysuru Zilla Panchayat were trained with verification indicators to declare GPs TB free.

This initiative is taken up in collaboration with (Karnataka Health Promotion Trust) as part of 'Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan' under National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP), with a vision for a TB-free India. 

Cases

Mysuru District TB officer,  Dr Mohammed Siraz Ahmed said that, with intensified awareness programmes about TB, timely and advanced testing and treatment facilities, cases of TB in the district are on decline. As many as 3,384 cases including 2279 male and 1101 female were detected in 2025. Among them 637 were in the age group of  15 to 30 years of age; 1029 were 31 to 45 years; 944 were 46 to 60 years; 695 were above 60 years. They detected 3,597 cases in 2021; 4008 in 2022; 3713 in in 2023; 3500 in 2024; 705 this year so far.

Tests

Dr Siraz informed that, 'Mycobacterium tuberculosis' spreads via air (airborne droplet nuclei that remains suspended in the air for several hours), and every untreated patient can infect 10 to 15 people in the community. Those with symptoms of cough with sputum (sometimes associated with blood) for more than two weeks, chest pain, fever during evening, sweating during night, weight loss, loss of appetite should visit government health facilities for free diagnosis of TB and treatment. 

They can approach all hospitals where TRUENAT and CBNAAT facilities are available and all taluk hospitals, CHCs and PHCs.  The samples are even collected through ASHA workers and Community Health Officers, he added. 

Advanced testing facility-Rapid molecular test via TRUENAT machine is available at District TB Center office (DTCO) at Mandi mohalla, K R Hospital, Government hospitals in K R Nagar, Periyapatna, H D Kote, Nanjangud, T Narsipura, CHCs in Saligrama, Saraguru, Bannur, Hullahalli, PHC in Yelwala, UPHC in Bannimantap. 

Advanced testing facility CBNAAT (Cartridge-Based Nucleic Acid Amplification Test) for early diagnosis of Pulmonary TB among HIV patients is available in PKTB and CD (Princess Krishnajammanni Tuberculosis and Chest Diseases Hospital ), DTCO, K R Hospital and Ashakirana hospital and JSS hospital in Mysuru; Government hospitals in Hunsur, K R Nagar, Periyapatna, H D Kote, Nanjangud; Tibetan Private Hospital at Bylakuppe in Periyapatna taluk.

Dr Siraz informed that BCG vaccination for infants is mandatory to avoid complicated TB. TB patients should cover their mouth and nose with handkerchief during cough or sneezing and avoid spitting in public places. 

Campaign

They launched a 100 days intensified TB elimination campaign on Tuesday to screen vulnerable populations like HIV patients, smokers, contacts of TB patients, and take up active case finding via house to house visits by Ashas, mobile x-ray units, camps and at closed circuits including Prisons. 

Nikshay Mitras

There are only three Nikshay Mitras in Mysuru district who have adopted TB patients and extending support including Raghulal medicals (providing protein powder to 1000 patients); Sai Ananda Bhojanam Foundation (providing energy power to 100 patients; SYVP provide nutrition kits to 30 pediatric TB patients.