Madikeri: Kodagu district is likely to become tuberculosis-free within the next two years, said district tuberculosis control officer Dr Sanath Kumar.At present, the district has 79 tuberculosis patients per one lakh population, he said while addressing a World Tuberculosis Eradication Day programme organised on Friday by the district administration, the Kodagu Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS), and the health and family welfare department at KIMS. He added that the number is expected to come down to less than 40 patients per one lakh population within the next year.Dr Kumar urged people to resolve to make the district completely free of tuberculosis.He said a 100-day programme has been launched to detect tuberculosis by visiting households in sensitive areas of the district. Treatment will be provided promptly along with diagnosis, he added.Dr Ramachandra Kamath, head of the community medicine department at KIMS, said information and education were being provided to control tuberculosis and to prevent its spread. He added that awareness about tuberculosis control was created through quizzes and rangoli competitions.District health and family welfare officer Dr Satish Kumar, Red Cross district chairman Ravindra Rai, and director of KIMS Dr Lokesh were present.Certificates were also distributed to gram panchayats declared tuberculosis-free in 2025. Ballamavati and Kakotuparambu gram panchayats were honoured with gold medals, while three gram panchayats received silver medals and 24 others were awarded bronze medals.
