<span style="color: #222222;">Tamil Nadu Government aims to achieve as a TB free state in 2025. In a media Sensitisation workshop held at Chennai today, the Additional Director of the Tuberculosis Eradication Department , Dr.Asha Fredrick said that the testing facilities have been increased in the rural and urban areas of the State. She said that awareness of the disease was the only way to remove the taboo and the stigma attached to the disease . Dr.Asha informed that mobile X-Ray vans are being used in the villages to screen the TB Patients.<br />''<br />''Community meetings, awareness in schools, colleges and workplaces are being undertaken as a part of the movement of a TB Free Tamil Nadu. The Consultant of the World Health Organisation Dr. Pirabhu said that molecular testing for tuberculosis and nucleic testing for TB has been done free of cost in 195 hospitals in the State. He said that every TB patient should be tested for HIV and diabetes as they pose a risk to the patient leading to sooner mortality. He informed that the State Government had planned a strategy to detect, Treat and prevent methodology to control the disease. He also said that anyone can access the TB Aarogya Sathi – an Android based app and Nikshay Sampark which is a toll free helpline for those affected by TB.</span><br />