Vizag Intensifies Drive to Eradicate TB
District Collector M.N. Harendhira Prasad on Tuesday called for collective efforts to eradicate tuberculosis, flagging off an awareness rally at the Collectorate on the occasion of World TB Day.
Addressing participants, the Collector said 69,495 screening tests were conducted in the district in 2025, of which 4,957 tested positive. All identified patients were placed on medication, and adherence to the six-month treatment schedule ensures quicker recovery, he noted.
He said that under the ‘TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan’, high-risk groups including smokers, diabetics, alcohol users, senior citizens above 60 years, former TB patients, their contacts, and individuals with a BMI below 18 are being screened. He added that TB patients are being provided nutrition biscuits and kits using OSR funds.
Commending the support of NALCO and the Central Warehousing Corporation, the Collector said they contributed nutritional food and biscuits worth ₹50 lakh for 8,205 patients in 2025.
The rally concluded with an awareness meeting at the Zilla Parishad meeting hall.
District Medical and Health Officer P. Jagadiswara Rao urged coordinated efforts from all stakeholders to eliminate TB, instructing staff to ensure timely supply of medicines to all diagnosed patients.
Zilla Parishad CEO P. Narayana Murthy advised people experiencing persistent cough, blood in sputum, or unexplained weight loss to undergo testing without delay.
Dr. Sunil Kumar, Superintendent of the Government Hospital for Chest and Communicable Diseases (GHCCD), and District TB Officer Dr. R. Ramesh also addressed the gathering.