The MoHFW, Govt. of India has initiated a program on “Community Support to TB Patients – Nikshay Mitra (Donor)” under Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan with the objectives to provide additional patient support to improve treatment outcome of TB Patients, augment community involvement to eliminate TB by 2025 and leverage the avenues for Corporate Social Responsibilities (CSR). The TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan was launched by the Hon’ble President of India on 09/09/2022.
In order to facilitate effective implementation of the Abhiyaan, Ni-kshay 2.0, an exclusive web portal for registration of Ni-kshay Mitra (Donors) has been developed. Ni-kshay Mitra for this program can include individuals, co-operative societies, corporates, elected representatives, institutions, non-governmental organizations, political parties and partners who can support by adopting consented TB patients in the peripheral health facilities/blocks/urban wards/districts/states. Under this initiative, nutritional support, diagnostic support and vocational support can be provided from 6 months to 3 years to all consented TB patients by Ni-kshayMitra.
CSR support has also been mobilized by the Health Department to help the TB patients. The Canara Bank, Port Blair has come forward to become a donor to support the TB patients under the scheme and assured to donate Rs.1.90 lacs. The Hon’ble Prime Minister in his vision, has asked all the officers to register as Nikshay Mitra. The Hon’ble PM urged every person, every organization and representatives associated with the Civil Society to takeup this resolution for playing an active role in building TB Free India. Accordingly, 20 Senior Officers and Doctors of Health Department have registered as Nikshay Mitra.
To attain the call of Hon’ble President of India, the A&N Administration has registered 59 NikshayMitras, who are providing nutritional support to 206 TB patients. The TB patients’ notification rate for the year 2022 is 101% and success rate is 86%, which is more than the national average. The Health Department is conducting active case finding for early diagnosis of TB patients and also doing follow-up management of all diagnosed cases.
I look forward to the active support of all serving Officers/Staff Associations to come forward and become Ni-kshayMitras. The interested officials/organizations can register themselves as Ni-kshay Mitra by visiting https://communitysupport.nikshay.in. Necessary support would be provided to all willing officers to register, by the State TB Officer & District TB Officers.
(Keshav Chandra)
Chief Secretary
Andaman & Nicobar Administration
