72 Gram Panchayats in K’taka’s Dharwad declared TB-free: Union Minister
New Delhi/Bengaluru, Aug 12 (IANS) As many as 72 gram panchayats in Karnataka’s Dharwad district have been declared tuberculosis (TB)-free, marking significant progress towards eliminating the disease, Union Minister for Food and Consumer Affairs Pralhad Joshi said on Wednesday.
Joshi, who is also the MP from Dharwad, made the remarks during a consultation meeting of MPs from Karnataka and Kerala on TB elimination, held in the presence of Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda in New Delhi.
Highlighting the progress made in Dharwad, Joshi said only two gram panchayats in the district had achieved TB-free status in 2023. The number has now risen to 72 by 2025, reflecting the sustained efforts of the district administration and health authorities.
“Dharwad district is making significant progress towards becoming completely TB-free,” Joshi said, adding that a people’s movement has been created as part of the Centre’s efforts to eliminate tuberculosis from the country.
According to Joshi, the district has achieved an 88 per cent treatment success rate. As part of intensified screening efforts, 161 X-ray camps were organised over 130 days, covering more than 7,800 people.
Between January and July 2026, the district screened 43,840 people, achieving 124 per cent of the targeted screening. The minister said the progress demonstrated the impact of sustained screening, early detection and treatment efforts.
The district is also providing nutritional support to TB patients through the Ni-kshay Mitra initiative as part of efforts to improve treatment outcomes and support patients during their recovery.
Joshi said the Centre and district administration were committed to realising Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a “TB-free India” and ensuring access to quality healthcare for every citizen in the Dharwad Lok Sabha constituency.
The consultation meeting in New Delhi also discussed measures to accelerate TB elimination in Karnataka and Kerala. MPs from the two states resolved to strengthen efforts in indigenous research for TB treatment, AI-based screening and access to modern treatment facilities for patients.
Union Minister of State Shobha Karandlaje, Union Minister Suresh Gopi, Anupriya Patel and senior officials of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare were among those present at the meeting.
–IANS
mka/dpb