Representational image only. File
| Photo Credit: The Hindu
Punamma (68) had been unwell for two weeks with mild fever and tiredness but since she had no other major complaints neither she nor her husband (both daily wagers) paid attention till a health worker asked her to come in for tuberculosis (TB) screening at the nearby health centre as part of Puducherry’s door-to-door campaign.
“I tested positive for TB and later even my husband tested positive,” she said. The two are currently under treatment and are receiving monetary and nutritional support under the TB-elimination programme.
“In a bid to curb community transmission and bring down the incidence of TB, Puducherry has been conducting door-to-door active case finding drives that especially focus on vulnerable populations who might not display TB symptoms or worse don’t have the time, access or knowledge to seek medical care,” explained S. Govindarajan, mission director, Puducherry State Health Society (PSHS).
He added that the idea behind the door-to-door campaign is to catch the vulnerable, at-risk patients who may be suffering without treatment and unknowingly becoming spreaders of TB.
“The idea is to ensure that no one is left behind and that nobody suffers without treatment and care. We have realised that the battle against TB needs us to ensure that patients get quicker and more accurate tests which translates into saving treatment time and saving lives,” he said.
Puducherry is on a fast track toward TB elimination, as eight of its villages were declared TB-Free this World TB Day (2025) — Sivaranthagam, Ariyur (N), Vathanur, Soriyankuppam, Kudiyirupupalaym, Pooranankuppam, Sembipalayam and Korkadu. C. Venkatesh, State TB officer added that Puducherry has slashed its TB incidence by 59% compared to 2015 levels.
“All suspected cases are screened using modern diagnostic tools – AI-enabled chest X-rays and NAAT. The door-to-door active case finding drives specially focus on vulnerable populations who might not display TB symptoms,’’ he said.
He added that since the Union Territory is also seeing a rise in cases of diabetes and its association with TB patients are being educated and taught to monitor the condition. Diabetes is known to increases the risk of TB.
Meanwhile, speaking about the implementation of the Ni-kshay Mitra programme launched in September 2022 where the State TB Cell has mobilised community members to provide nutritional baskets to TB patients Dr. Venkatesh added that through 241 Ni-kshay Mitras, or donors, Puducherry has distributed over 12,609 nutritional baskets to TB patients, ensuring treatment adherence and recovery.
“As a result, more than 85% patients receive at least three food baskets through the course of their treatment – thus enhancing their recovery. This initiative complements the DBT scheme — Ni-kshay Poshan Yojana whereby patients are paid ₹1,000 per month as nutritional support through the course of their treatment. Here also in Puducherry 85% beneficiaries receiving all their entitlements,’’ he added.
Published – July 06, 2025 03:51 pm IST
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