A focused state-level TB response
TN-KET Tamil Nadu’s Fight Against Early TB Deaths: Tamil Nadu launched the TN-KET (Kasanoi Erappila Thittam) in 2022 to tackle the urgent challenge of early TB deaths. It is a first-of-its-kind state intervention aligned with national goals to eliminate TB by 2025.
The program was designed to identify and prioritize severe TB cases at the point of diagnosis, ensuring that no patient dies from delayed care.
How TN-KET works
At its core, TN-KET employs a paper-based triage tool assessing five simple parameters: BMI, oxygen level, respiratory rate, leg swelling, and ability to stand. Based on these indicators, the program categorizes patients as high-risk and initiates fast-track hospital admission.
98% of severe patients were admitted within seven days, significantly improving survival outcomes.
Early impact and scalability
Within just six months, TN-KET helped achieve a 20% reduction in early TB deaths in Tamil Nadu. This marked improvement has positioned the program as a potential model for replication across India.
It offers a low-cost, scalable, and data-driven public health intervention that can be adapted to varied regional healthcare settings.
Static GK fact: Tuberculosis (TB) is a bacterial infection caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis and is one of India’s leading infectious disease killers.
Integration with national goals
TN-KET complements the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP), which aims to eradicate TB in India by 2025, five years ahead of the global 2030 SDG target.
The program also utilizes real-time data monitoring to guide resource allocation and improve accountability. This is part of Tamil Nadu’s larger push towards evidence-based governance in healthcare.
Static GK tip: India accounted for 28% of the global TB burden in 2022, the highest in the world, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
Tamil Nadu’s public health legacy
Tamil Nadu has consistently been a leader in public health innovation, from pioneering midday meal schemes to universal health coverage through CMCHIS. TN-KET continues this tradition by integrating community-level screening with hospital-level care coordination.
This makes it not just a TB control strategy, but a system-strengthening tool for broader public health improvement.
Static Usthadian Current Affairs Table
TN-KET Tamil Nadu’s Fight Against Early TB Deaths:
| Topic | Detail |
| Full Form of TN-KET | Kasanoi Erappila Thittam |
| Launch Year | 2022 |
| Main Objective | Reduce TB mortality through early detection and fast-tracked care |
| Key Assessment Tool | 5-parameter paper-based triage system |
| Early Impact | 20% drop in early TB deaths within six months |
| Fast-Track Admission Rate | 98% of severe cases admitted within 7 days |
| Linked National Program | National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP) |
| TN-KET’s Broader Role | Promotes data-driven health governance |
| Static GK Fact | India contributes 28% to global TB burden (WHO) |
| State Known For | Public health innovations like CMCHIS and school nutrition programs |
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