Chennai: A state-led initiative to identify and provide early medical intervention to critically ill tuberculosis (TB) patients has helped reduce TB-related deaths in Tamil Nadu by at least 38%, according to a study conducted by the Indian Council of Medical Research–National Institute of Epidemiology (ICMR-NIE) and the State TB Cell.
The findings, published in the November 7 edition of BMJ Global Health, highlight the impact of the Tamil Nadu Kasanoi Erappilla Thittam (TN-KET), a state-wide programme introduced in April 2022 to strengthen care for people diagnosed with TB.
Under the initiative, newly diagnosed patients undergo an assessment to identify signs of severe illness. Those requiring urgent medical attention are prioritised for hospital admission to prevent complications and reduce the risk of death.
Researchers analysed quarterly data between July 2024 and December 2025 and recorded a reduction of at least 38% in the TB death rate. The assessment system evaluates patients using five health indicators: body mass index, swelling in the feet, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation and the ability to stand without assistance.
The programme also introduced repeat assessments two months after diagnosis. By December 2025, all adults aged 15 and above diagnosed with drug-sensitive TB had been covered under the initial screening process, reaching approximately 60,000 patients annually. Repeat assessments covered 35% of those initially identified as severely ill.
The study noted that the programme could offer a model for other states facing a high TB burden, particularly those with established public healthcare infrastructure.
The researchers said the monitoring and evaluation framework used under TN-KET could be adapted elsewhere to improve patient management and treatment outcomes. The initiative also supports the World Health Organization’s target of reducing TB-related deaths by 95% by 2035.
