Mysore/Mysuru: Deputy Commissioner Rohini Sindhuri has said that one person dies every three minutes in the world due to Tuberculosis (TB).

Speaking after inaugurating a function on the occasion of World TB Day organised by Health and Family Welfare Department at Vaidyara Bhavan here yesterday, she said TB has emerged as a silent killer and it was more dangerous than Coronavirus. A jatha was planned to create awareness about TB in the district but it was cancelled due to pandemic. Need of the hour was to educate people about this disease, she added.

The DC said time has come to make World TB Day as a day of commitment both politically and socially. This day must be dedicated to trace and treat TB patients in order to make Karnatake TB-free. 

To draw the attention of people on dangers of this disease and to demonstrate their commitment to ending tuberculosis, may prominent buildings in city like Offices of Deputy Commissioner, Mysuru City Corporation, Department of Health and Family Welfare, District Health Officer, District TB Office, District Hospital and General Hospital, the iconic St. Philomena’s Church were illuminated in red colour.

Dr. Udaykumar, Joint Director, Department of Health and Family Welfare, said TB existed from the days of kings but reasons for it were not known. The number of TB cases was only declining but it has not disappeared. Effective strategy must be adopted to make Karnataka free from TB by 2025 as per an announcement made by Government of India. To achieve this, co-operation of everyone was required, he noted.

On this occasion, the DC released Profil-DF medicine given by the Lions Club. In recognition of services in health field, Dr. Virupaksha, Medical Superintendent, PKTB & CD Hospital, Dr. Swamy, Head, Ashakirana Hospital, Dr. D.T. Prakash of Lions Club, Dr. Somashekar of K.R. Hospital TBHV and Rifa Taskeen, Ambassador – Children’s TB and Umesh of Periyapatna were felicitated.

District Health Officer Dr. T. Amarnath, District TB Officer Dr. Mohammed Shiraz Ahmed, WHO Mysuru Division Consultant Dr. Spoorthi, District Training Centre Head Suguna and others were present.

Prominent buildings, Hospitals illuminated in red to raise public awareness