Hon’ble President Smt. Droupadi Murmu launches ‘Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan’ to eliminate TB by 2025

Newdelhi:9/9/22:When a welfare scheme is made in the interest of people, its chances of success increase manifold”. This was stated by Hon’ble President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu as she urged citizens to work collectively towards TB elimination in spirit of Jan Bhaagidari on a war footing and launched the Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan. Union Health & Family Welfare Minister, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Minister of State for Health & Family Welfare, Dr. Bharati Pravin Pawar were present at the launch event along with Union Ministers, Governors and Lt. Governors, State Health Ministers and other dignitaries. The virtual event, also attended by state and district health administrations, representatives from corporates, industries, civil society, NGOs, and TB Champions, reiterated India’s commitment to eliminate the high-burden infectious disease by 2025, five years ahead of the global goal of 2030. This vision was first articulated by the Hon’ble Prime Minister at the Delhi End TB Summit in March 2018.

The President also launched the Ni-kshay Mitra initiative to ensure additional diagnostic, nutritional, and vocational support to those on TB treatment, and encouraged elected representatives, corporates, NGOs, and individuals to come forward as donors to help the patients complete their journey toward recovery. The Ni-kshay 2.0 portal (https://communitysupport.nikshay.in/) will facilitate providing additional patient support to improve treatment outcomes of TB patients, augmenting community involvement in meeting India’s commitment to end TB by 2025 and leveraging Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) opportunities.

The virtual launch event showcased India’s accelerated progress through the National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP) owing to commitment at the highest levels. At the ceremony, the Hon’ble President of India appreciated the tireless efforts of the healthcare workers, community leaders, and citizens for managing the COVID-19 pandemic and underlined the need to adopt a similar whole-of-society approach to eliminate TB from the country. The President reiterated the goal of universal health coverage ensuring no one is left behind in accessing affordable quality healthcare through all levels of the health system. Highlighting the progress made through the Ayushman Bharat scheme in this endeavor, she expressed confidence in pivotal role of the strengthened healthcare system in achieving TB elimination goals. She stressed on enhanced awareness regarding the treatment for TB, a curable disease. The treatment is available free of cost at government health facilities.