Karnataka reduces TB mortality by half
Karnataka has achieved a significant milestone in its fight against tuberculosis, halving the TB death rate and improving treatment success rates, according to recent health data. The Presumptive TB Examination Rate (PTER), which tracks the number of suspected TB cases tested per one lakh population, rose sharply from 963 in 2021 to 2,897 in 2025, indicating enhanced screening efforts.
Treatment success and detection improvements
The state's TB treatment success rate has also seen notable gains, reflecting better patient management and adherence. Health officials attribute this progress to intensified case-finding campaigns, expanded use of molecular diagnostic tools, and stronger public-private partnerships. The data, released by the state health department, underscores Karnataka's commitment to ending TB by 2025, a national target set under the Revised National Tuberculosis Control Program.
Impact of enhanced surveillance
The dramatic increase in PTER—nearly tripling over four years—demonstrates the effectiveness of active case-finding strategies, including door-to-door screening and mobile health units in high-burden areas. According to state health officials, early detection and prompt treatment have been critical in reducing deaths. The TB death rate per one lakh population dropped from an earlier high to half its previous level, though exact figures were not disclosed in the report.
Karnataka's progress aligns with global efforts to curb TB, which remains one of the top infectious disease killers worldwide. The World Health Organization has emphasized the need for countries to ramp up diagnosis and treatment to meet Sustainable Development Goal targets. With these gains, Karnataka is positioning itself as a leader in TB control in India.
