Uttara Kannada DC Lakshmi Priya calls for collective efforts to make district TB-free

Karwar: 24 March, 2025  (Bhatkallys News Bureau) Uttara Kannada Deputy Commissioner (DC) K. Lakshmi Priya has urged collective efforts to eliminate tuberculosis (TB) from the district, emphasizing the importance of community participation in achieving this goal.  

Speaking at the World TB Day program held at the Zilla Panchayat Auditorium on Monday, she highlighted how coordinated efforts at the grassroots level helped control COVID-19. She stressed that a similar approach—through Gram Panchayat task force committees comprising Panchayat officials, Anganwadi workers, and ASHA workers—would be essential in tackling TB.  

"The Central Government has pledged to make India TB-free and has launched several initiatives toward this goal. People should make use of the free healthcare facilities provided by the government to combat TB effectively," she said. She also pointed out that the district has been implementing various TB elimination programs at the village level in coordination with the health department, including a 100-day TB eradication camp.  

DC Lakshmi Priya underscored the significance of early detection, urging people to recognize symptoms and seek timely medical attention. "There should be no misconceptions about TB. Testing and treatment are available at health centers, and early diagnosis can save lives," she added.  

Zilla Panchayat CEO Eshwar Kandu praised the relentless efforts of the Health and Family Welfare Department, Gram Panchayat leaders, and ASHA workers in combating the disease. He revealed that out of 229 Gram Panchayats in Uttara Kannada, 62 have already been declared TB-free, with ongoing efforts to achieve the same for the remaining panchayats.  

Kandu also suggested that taluk and district panchayats extend support to TB patients by providing nutrition kits under the "TB Mitra" initiative. He called on industrialists, donors, NGOs, and CSR funds to come forward to aid TB patients and contribute to the cause.  

Raviraj Chandrahas Ankolekar, President of the Urban Development Committee, noted that while TB was once feared, effective medications now exist to control the disease. He acknowledged the dedicated work of ASHA workers and Anganwadi teachers in raising awareness through public campaigns and camps.  

As part of the event, a mobile handheld X-ray machine was inaugurated to enhance TB detection efforts. Awards were also presented to Gram Panchayats that have successfully achieved TB-free status in recognition of their contribution to the eradication campaign.  

Among those present at the event were Dr. Poornima, Dean of Karwar Institute of Medical Sciences (KRIMS), Dr. Shivanand Kudtalkar, District Surgeon, Dr. Neeraj, District Health Officer (DHO), Dr. Harsha Venkatesh, District TB Eradication Officer, Dr. Nataraj, RCH Officer, Dr. Shankar Rao, District Leprosy Control Officer, Dr. Ramesh Rao, District Vector-Borne Disease Control Officer, Ashwini Borkar, District Women & Child Development Officer, Basavaraj S. Kannakkanavar, District Health Education Officer, along with Gram Panchayat Presidents, PDOs, ASHA workers, and other officials.