Visakhapatnam: Vizianagaram was one of 347 districts selected for a 100-day nationwide tuberculosis (TB) elimination campaign. Among these districts, Vizianagaram conducted the highest number of sputum tests, with 45,195 tests using Truenat devices for TB diagnosis.
Ten mobile teams covered 484 Ayushman health centres, 66 primary health centres, and 10 TB units across the district. About 25,400 X-ray tests were conducted for suspected TB patients. A total of 866 cases were detected cases through X-rays, sputum tests, and other diagnostic methods. On World TB Day, March 24, Union health minister Dr JP Nadda presented an award to Dr T Ramesh, joint director, state TB cell, for the district’s achievements.
District collector Dr B R Ambedkar said that several activities were carried out in the district to raise public awareness about tuberculosis and conduct diagnostic tests for individuals showing symptoms. “In the process, the district conducted the highest number of tests. I congratulate Dr S. Jeevana Rani, the district medical and health officer, Dr K Rani, the TB control officer, and the medical officers for their efforts in achieving this recognition. We will continue working towards making Vizianagaram a tuberculosis-free district,” said Ambedkar.
Dr T Ramesh, joint director at the State TB Cell, said that some handheld X-ray devices were procured with CSR funds from a public sector company, while additional devices were provided by ICMR. “The advanced equipment, along with the AI-driven interpretation of chest X-rays, helped expedite testing in Vizianagaram, which ultimately contributed to us receiving the award,” said Dr Ramesh.
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has recently validated three indigenous handheld X-ray devices, enabling TB screening for vulnerable populations. These devices are lightweight, portable, and offer low radiation exposure. Similarly, ICMR partnered with the Institute of Plasma Research, Ahmedabad, to develop DeepCXR, an artificial intelligence-based tool for reporting chest X-ray films. The DeepCXR tool has been recommended by ICMR to the govt and is now available free of charge to the national TB elimination programme.
