Ponda: Shiroda village in Ponda taluka has been declared tuberculosis-free after recording a decline in cases over the past decade. The village has remained TB-free for three consecutive years and has received a gold award under the government’s TB-free initiative.Water Resources Minister Subhash Shirodkar told reporters that three panchayats in his constituency had received awards. Shiroda and Bethora panchayats received silver awards, while Shiroda village was conferred the gold award for remaining TB-free for three consecutive years. Borim village received a silver award for being TB-free for two consecutive years.Dr Vijeta Naik, health officer at the primary health centre in Shiroda, said the facility caters to more than 30,000 people. Shiroda has a population of around 17,000, while Borim and Bethora have around 10,000 and 4,000 residents, respectively.She said the health centre has been conducting awareness programmes on tuberculosis in the villages. A sophisticated machine has also been procured to test sputum samples of suspected TB patients.Naik said people had been urged to bring those showing symptoms such as a persistent cough lasting more than two weeks for testing.Shirodkar honoured members of the village panchayats.
