Target TB working in partnership with Blossom Trust in India

Country/regional profile

India has a population of approximately 1.1 billion people and is one of the world's fastest growing economies, yet over a quarter of people in India still live on less than $1 a day.

Poverty and TB are inextricably linked and India has the highest incidence of TB in the world. Approximately 1.9 million new cases emerge each year and over 1,000 Indians die of TB every single day.

This project operates in Virudhunagar district, in the Southern state of Tamil Nadu. Tamil Nadu has one of the highest levels of TB and HIV in India and the dual epidemics are a significant health threat.  target tb

Virudhunagar district is well known for its match and fireworks industry which provides employment to many people. However working conditions are often poor with people working closely together in badly ventilated rooms - optimum conditions for a contagious disease like TB to spread. As many people work as daily wage labourers, loss of income due to ill health can push whole families into poverty.

Our work with Blossom Trust

Blossom Trust edu-clowns perform drama to raise awareness about TB to the general public

Blossom Trust edu-clowns perform
drama to raise awareness about TB
to the general public

Target TB has been working in partnership with Blossom Trust, a local NGO based in Virudhunugar District, Tamil Nadu, since 2007. Established in 1993, Blossom Trust has developed a strong reputation working in the fields of women's development and HIV/AIDS prevention and care. At the end of 2008 Target TB was awarded a grant from The Big Lottery Fund to implement a 3 year project with Blossom Trust to improve TB diagnosis, treatment and levels of awareness in the Virudhunagar district.   

Project Aims

The project aims to improve access to TB testing and treatment for people in Virundunugar district and to meet and exeed the World Health Organisation's targets for treatment completion and cure. Alongside, the project aims to increase levels of awareness and knowledge of TB in the wider population of Virudhungarar through extensive health education activities.

Project Activities 

  • To mobilise and train volunteers and members of community groups in TB control and coordinate them in TB control activities in their local communities.
  • To help TB patients access healthcare services and provide them with home based care and support treatment in line with DOTS.
  • Education campaigns raise awareness about TB using a range of methods, such as streat theatre with Blossom Trust's edu-clowns, cable TV programmes, mobile TB exhibitions and World TB day activities.