Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan

Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan

News: President Droupadi Murmu has launched the `Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan’ which aims at working towards TB elimination from the country by 2025.

About:
• India is committed to eliminating tuberculosis from the country by 2025, five years ahead of the global target by the World Health Organisation (WHO) i.e. 2030.
• National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme is aligned with the ambitious goal.
• Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan’ has been envisioned to bring together all community stakeholders to support those on TB treatment and accelerate the country’s progress towards TB elimination.

Ni-kshay Mitra Initiative:
• The President also launched the Ni-kshay Mitra initiative to ensure additional diagnostic, nutritional, and vocational support to those on TB treatment.
• The Ni-kshay 2.0 portal will facilitate in providing additional patient support to improve treatment outcome of TB patients, augmenting community involvement in meeting India’s commitment to end TB by 2025 and leveraging Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) opportunities.

About TB:
• Tuberculosis (TB) is a bacterial infection spread through inhaling tiny droplets from the coughs or sneezes of an infected person.
• It mainly affects the lungs, but it can affect any part of the body, including the tummy (abdomen), glands, bones and nervous system.
• The BCG vaccine offers protection against TB, and is recommended on the NHS for babies, children and adults under the age of 35 who are considered to be at risk of catching TB.
• The BCG vaccine is not routinely given to anyone over the age of 35 as there's no evidence that it works for people in this age group.

Other initiatives to Fight TB:
• The Saksham Project - It is a project of the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) that has been providing psycho-social counselling to DR-TB patients.
• The Nikshay Ecosystem - It is the National TB information system which is a one-stop solution to manage information of patients and monitor program activity and performance throughout the country.
• TB Harega Desh Jeetega Campaign - Launched In September 2019 it is showcasing the highest level of commitment for the elimination of TB.
• Nikshay Poshan Yojana (NPY) – The scheme is aimed at providing financial support to TB patients for their