President Murmu launches Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan

President Droupadi Murmu has said that Jan Bhagidari is the key to eliminate tuberculosis from the country. The President was speaking after virtually launching the Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan to reinvigorate the mission of TB elimination from the country by 2025.

During the event, President Murmu also launched the Ni-kshay 2.0 initiative, a  portal to provide a platform for donors to provide various forms of support to those undergoing TB treatment.

She said that under the world's biggest Aushman Yojana, the wellness centres have been especially geared to work towards the elimination of Tuberculosis.

Emphasising on the commitment of New India to fighting against TB, President Murmu said that India's response to COVID-19 is a testimony to India's seriousness on the matter. She emphasised on the importance of role of public representatives in the success of the cause.

Recalling the adage of prevention is better than cure, the President said that the TB prevention programme will be initiated soon. She asked people to not feel any sort of inhibition and



come forward to help in early detection and elimination of tuberculosis.

The President said that the new portal Nikshay 2.0 has been upgraded to make the information easily available to people.

Speaking on the occasion, Health Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya recalled Prime Minister Narendra Modi's clarion call to end TB in the country five years ahead of the Sustainable Development Goals of 2030. He added that through people's participation, India will defeat the tuberculosis.

The initiative of Nikshay Mitra is based on the concept of community support for TB extinction. To become a Nikshay Mitra, the mentor will have to register on www.nikshay.in or www.tbcindia.gov.in

The Nikshay Mitra can choose nutritional, diagnostic, vocational and additional nutritional supplements support.

The Nikshay Mitra can choose the duration of support ranging from one year to three years. They can also choose the state, district, block, health facilities. The district TB officer will facilitiate the process of become Nikshay Mitra.