Tamil Nadu’s TB program cuts death rates across six districts, study finds

Chennai: Tuberculosis death rates fell and stayed lower for more than two years in six Tamil Nadu districts after the State launched its Kasanoi Erappila Thittam initiative, according to a new study in Global Health Action.

The study tracked TB deaths in Dharmapuri, Karur, Villupuram, Kanniyakumari, Cuddalore, and Salem following the rollout of TN-KET, short for Tamil Nadu Kasanoi Erappila Thittam. Researchers from the State’s TB Cell and the Indian Council of Medical Research – National Institute of Epidemiology reported a sustained reduction in program-reported TB death rates across all six districts.

TN-KET, which means TB death-free project, began in April 2022. It is India’s first State-wide and State-specific differentiated TB care initiative aimed at reducing TB deaths.

The program triages patients by risk and provides tailored clinical support, nutrition, and follow-up. Officials said the sustained decline shows targeted care can lower mortality in high-burden areas.