NEW DELHI: In a first-of-itskind initiative, the Centre has come up with a policy through which people can adopt a TB patient anywhere in the country and provide for their nutritional needs. They can also help them find a vocation.
There are around 13. 5 lakh active Tuberculosis cases in the country. Of them, sources in the health ministry said, nearly 9.
26 lakh were approached by government officials for consent to participate in the adoption scheme called ‘Ni-Kshay Mitra Initiative’ and 8. 95 lakh have already given their consent.
‘Ni-Kshay’ is a combination of words that means eradication of tuberculosis. The ‘Ni-kshay Mitra’ initiative will be launched by President
Droupadi Murmu on Friday. Health ministry sources said data of all TB patients who have given consent for the adoption scheme will go live on the ministry’s website.
“Those interested in adopting one or more patients will have to fill up a form committing to provide nutritional support. That is a must. But if someone wants, they can also help such patients or their family mem-bers find a vocation or help in other ways,” a source said, adding that the adoption scheme will be carried out under the supervision of the local health officer or the block officer. The health ministry has made a suggestive list of nutrition or food basket that can be given to patients. The minimum period of commitment for providing additional support to the TB patient shall be one year.
The sources said the government is already providing free of cost treatment and Rs 500 for nutrition support to all TB patients.
Officials said the idea behind the ‘Ni-Kshay Mitra’ initiative, which aims to identify voluntary donors and connect them with these patients is two-fold: firstly, to make the TBeradication programme a people’s movement, and second, to provide additional financial and social support to people suffering from the bacterial infection. India has the world’s highest TB burden, with an estimated 26 lakh people contracting the disease and approximately four lakh deaths from the disease recorded every year. The Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Yojana aims to end Tuberculosis in the country by 2025. The adoption scheme is a step in the same direction, officials said.
According to the health ministry, notification of TB cases increased from 18. 2 lakh in 2017 to 21. 35 lakh in 2021, with Rs 1651. 27 crore disbursed to 62. 71 lakh TB patients for nutritional support (since 2018).