Thiruvananthapuram, July 24 (IANS) Kerala’s ambitious drive to eliminate tuberculosis has received a major grassroots boost, with Kudumbashree, the State’s vast women’s community network, joining hands with the Health Department to strengthen the campaign for a TB‑Free Kerala.
As part of the government’s 100‑day intensive campaign, the State TB Cell has begun equipping Kudumbashree officials with the knowledge and skills needed to take awareness messages deep into communities, where early detection and timely treatment remain the strongest weapons against the disease.
By leveraging Kudumbashree’s extensive presence across villages and urban neighbourhoods, the government hopes to identify people with symptoms at an early stage, encourage them to undergo testing and ensure that those diagnosed complete treatment without interruption.
During the training programme, officials were sensitised to the symptoms of tuberculosis, how the disease spreads, available diagnostic facilities, treatment protocols and the importance of nutrition in recovery. Equal emphasis was placed on breaking the stigma surrounding tuberculosis, a factor that often delays diagnosis and treatment.
Participants were also introduced to the TB Mukt Bharat mobile application, which supports the national tuberculosis elimination programme and helps strengthen community participation.
At the end of the programme, Kudumbashree officials pledged to actively support the State’s TB eradication campaign by spreading awareness and encouraging people not to ignore symptoms or delay seeking medical care.
Health officials believe that community participation is critical if Kerala is to achieve its goal of eliminating tuberculosis. With thousands of neighbourhood groups and unmatched grassroots presence, Kudumbashree is expected to become one of the campaign’s strongest community partners.
Launched by the Kerala Government in 1998, Kudumbashree is one of the world’s largest women’s self‑help networks, with over 4.5 million members organised through neighbourhood groups. Beyond poverty alleviation, it plays a key role in livelihood generation, public health, nutrition, sanitation, social development and community mobilisation, making it a natural partner for statewide public health campaigns such as TB‑Free Kerala.
–IANS
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