Srirangapatna: Prakash, Health Education Officer, Mysuru Division, has called upon people to pledge to make India free from Tuberculosis (TB) by 2025. He was speaking at a special awareness programme on the occasion of ‘World TB Day’ at Brindavan Main Gate, KRS Dam, organised jointly by the office of Taluk Health Officer, K.R. Sagar Primary Health Centre, Cauvery Niravari Nigam and Gram Panchayat here on Friday.

He said, this disease was contagious and it spreads through the air. It can be cured completely through timely testing and good treatment.

Dr. C.S. Soumya, Administrative Health Officer, said that the symptoms of TB are, continuous cough (sometimes blood tinged), loss of appetite, weight loss, sweating, fever during evening and swollen lymph nodes. Those who have these symptoms must immediately go to the Govt. Hospital to avail free treatment.

Suhail Ahmed, In-Charge, Dept. of TB, said that the Government has announced free sputum test, free treatment through ASHA workers, Rs. 500 monthly incentive to each person to take nutritious food and free treatment in Govt. Hospitals, for TB patients. 

On the occasion, the Brindavan Gardens Main Gate was illuminated in red light. S.D. Bennur, Block Health Education Officer, administered TB eradication pledge. Later, the handbills were distributed to the visitors.

Bhemanna, Assistant Medical Officer, Health Department, Mysuru, Nagendra Kumar, President, Gram Panchayat, Shruthi Yogesh, Vice-President, Rafiq Karjagi, Panchayat Development Officer, Shivakumar, Engineer, Cauvery Niravari Nigam, Mahesh, In-Charge, Health Department and others were present.