President Droupadi Murmu launched the ‘Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan’ to eliminate tuberculosis by 2025 in a virtual event on September 9. President Droupadi Murmu urged citizens to work together in the spirit of Jan Bhaagidari to eliminate tuberculosis.
The National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP), formerly known as the Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP), aims to reduce the TB burden in India strategically by 2025, five years ahead of the SDGs. The RNTCP was renamed the National Tuberculosis Elimination Program (NTEP) in 2020 to emphasise the Government of India’s goal of eliminating tuberculosis in India by 2025.
Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, and Dr. Bharati Pravin Pawar, Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, were present at the launch event, as were other Union Ministers, Governors and Lt. Governors, State Health Ministers, and other dignitaries.
Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan an extension of Hon’ble PM’s citizen-centric policies
Union Health Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya stated on the occasion that “the Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan is an extension of the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s citizen-centric policies.” He attributed the program’s success to key indicators such as TB case notifications and consistent efforts that resulted in monthly notification reporting in order to reach pre-pandemic levels by the end of 2021.
The Union Health Minister emphasised that a 360-degree approach is the foundation of TB elimination in India, and that a societal approach that brings people from all walks of life together in a Jan Andolan is required to meet the ambitious target of eliminating TB by 2025.
President also launched the Ni-kshay Mitra initiative
The President also launched the Ni-kshay Mitra initiative to provide additional diagnostic, nutritional, and vocational support to TB patients, and he encouraged elected officials, corporations, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and individuals to contribute to the patients’ recovery.
The Ni-kshay 2.0 portal will aid in providing additional patient support to improve treatment outcomes for tuberculosis patients, increasing community participation in meeting India’s commitment to end tuberculosis by 2025, and leveraging Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) opportunities.
According to Dr. Mandaviya, there are approximately 13.5 lakh TB patients registered in the Nikshay portal, of which 8.9 lakh active TB patients have given their consent for adoption. The Ni-kshay digital portal will serve as a platform for community support for people living with tuberculosis. He urged all citizens, NGOs, corporate houses, elected representatives, and others to join the movement by becoming Ni-kshay Mitras and organising gatherings to discuss the initiative so that no one with tuberculosis is left behind.
During the ceremony, the President praised the tireless efforts of healthcare workers, community leaders, and citizens in managing the COVID-19 pandemic and emphasised the importance of taking a similar whole-of-society approach to eradicating tuberculosis from the country.
Goal to ensure no one is denied access to affordable quality healthcare
The President reiterated the goal of universal health coverage, ensuring that no one is denied access to affordable quality healthcare at all levels of the health system. She expressed confidence in the pivotal role of the strengthened healthcare system in achieving TB elimination goals, highlighting the progress made through the Ayushman Bharat scheme in this endeavour. She emphasised the importance of raising awareness about the treatment of tuberculosis, a curable disease. The treatment is provided free of charge at government health care facilities.
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