Health · Public Health & Disease · 2 hrs ago
Tamil Nadu honours 319 villages recognised as TB-free in four districts
Tamil Nadu honoured 319 panchayats recognised as TB-free villages in 2025 across Vellore, Tiruvannamalai, Ranipet and Tirupattur districts.
Tiruvannamalai had the most, with 157 villages; Vellore and Ranipet had 57 each, and Tirupattur had 48.
The awards went to village elders, volunteers, including NCC cadets, and health workers as part of the National TB Elimination Programme.
Health teams identify higher-risk villages using past case studies, then visit homes and test samples for drug-sensitive and drug-resistant TB before granting the status.
Officials classify a village as TB-free when it averages one TB case per 1,000 people, but the four districts still have thousands of patients receiving treatment.
Dense populations and migration can help TB spread, while quarry and crushing-unit workers are among those at higher risk, making surveillance and community participation important to the effort.
Tamil Nadu’s Health Department honoured people from 319 panchayats in four districts for achieving TB-free village status in 2025.
The recognised villages are in Tiruvannamalai, Vellore, Ranipet and Tirupattur.
Tiruvannamalai had the most recognised villages, with 157.
Health officials said the initiative is part of the Union government’s National TB Elimination Programme.
Officials use village case studies, door-to-door inspections and testing to assess TB-free status.
- Who
- Tamil Nadu’s Health Department honoured village elders, volunteers, including NCC cadets, and health workers.
- What
- People from 319 panchayats were honoured for achieving TB-free village status in 2025.
- When
- The awards were presented on Thursday. The article does not give the calendar date for the ceremony.
- Where
- Vellore, Tiruvannamalai, Ranipet and Tirupattur districts in Tamil Nadu.
- Why
- The villages were recognised as part of efforts under the National TB Elimination Programme.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Tiruvannamalai had 30 identified TB-free villages, while Vellore, Ranipet and Tirupattur together had 111.
Health officials conduct field surveys before the onset of the Northeast monsoon.
The 319 panchayats achieved TB-free village status.
The Health Department honoured village elders, volunteers and health workers from the 319 panchayats.
- Recognised panchayats
- 319
- Districts
- Vellore, Tiruvannamalai, Ranipet and Tirupattur
- Tiruvannamalai villages
- 157
- Vellore villages
- 57
- Ranipet villages
- 57
- Tirupattur villages
- 48
What people are saying
The study found that high population density remains a major reason for the spread of TB in the district, as the infection can spread much faster in densely populated areas. Migration from big cities is another reason for its spread, especially in tribal areas like Jawadhu Hills, which have been less affected by TB.