Tamil Nadu Becomes First State to Use Predictive Model to Reduce TB Deaths.
National
In July 2025, Tamil Nadu became the first state in India to launch a predictive death model for Tuberculosis (TB) patients. The initiative aims to reduce TB-related mortality by identifying critically ill patients early and facilitating their timely admission to hospitals for life-saving care.
- This model has been integrated with the TB SeWA (Severe TB Web Application) system under the Tamil Nadu – Kasaonai Erappila Thittam (TN-KET) initiative. Through this model, clinicians can identify TB patients at a higher risk of mortality right at the time of diagnosis, helping them prioritise urgent treatment or referral.
- The model was developed by the Indian Council of Medical Research – National Institute of Epidemiology (ICMR–NIE), Chennai, which is a premier institute under the Department of Health Research (DHR), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW). The tool is based on Indian data and is specifically tailored for the needs of public health facilities in Tamil Nadu.
- The predictive algorithm is built using a large dataset of over 56,000 TB patients diagnosed in government facilities across Tamil Nadu between July 2022 and June 2023. The model takes into account various clinical and demographic factors to predict which patients are most likely to face severe complications or death.
Main Point :- (i) In parallel, Puducherry became the first Union Territory (UT) in India to introduce TB screening under the Family Adoption Programme (FAP).
(ii) This was mandated by the National Medical Commission (NMC) and MoHFW in 2022 under the Competency-Based Medical Education (CBME) curriculum to strengthen medical students’ role in public health.
(iii) The TB screening initiative in Puducherry is being implemented by Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC) and the State TB Cell of Puducherry, which also conducts Verbal Autopsies to identify causes of TB-related deaths. These steps are part of India’s broader goal to eliminate TB by 2025, aligning with the National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP).
About Indian Council of Medical Research - National Institute of Epidemiology (ICMR-NIE)
Director : Dr Manoj Murhekar
Headquarters : Chennai, Tamil Nadu (TN)
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