Dr Mansukh Mandaviya flags off 75 Trucks for countrywide Awareness Drive to eliminate TB
More than 71,000 Ki-shay Mitras have come forward and are today supporting over
10 lakh TB patients: Dr Mansukh Mandaviya
“India’s has its own healthcare model with shared social and national
responsibilities. I urge everyone to come forward in the spirit of Jan
Bhagidari”
“Only through joint efforts and collaborations we can achieve the goal of
making India TB free by 2025”
“The whole country is enthused and mobilized
in the spirit of Jan Bhagidari to work towards elimination of TB. Synergized
with the clarion call of Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji to end TB in the
country five years ahead of SDG2030 target, more than 71,000 Ki-shay Mitras
have come forward and are today supporting over 10 lakh TB patients through
nutritional support and other means, as part of Union Government’s Ni-kshay
scheme for elimination of TB through mobilization of all walks of stakeholders
across corporates, NGOs, people’s representatives, individuals etc.” This was
stated by Dr Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare as
he addressed the Partnership Action against Tuberculosis (PAcT) Summit, here
today. Dr Mandaviya also flagged off 75 Trucks with TB awareness messages that
have been provided by Apollo Tyres Foundation, who are actively supporting the
Ni-kshay scheme. These trucks will travel and carry the messages of TB-free
India across states.
The Union Health Minister also
distributed nutrition baskets to several TB patients at the event.
The Union Health elaborated that
“India’s has its own healthcare model with shared social and national
responsibilities. Multi-sectoral engagement is a key pillar in supporting
National TB Elimination Programme by leveraging cooperation from other
stakeholders. Only through joint efforts and collaborations we can achieve the
goal of making India TB free by 2025. I urge everyone to come forward in the
spirit of Jan Bhagidari.” He highlighted that Nikshay Mitras not only provide
financial and nutritional support to the TB patients but also personally engage
with them over the Nikshay Mitra portal to ensure their overall wellbeing.
Dr Mandaviya
appreciated the innovative way in which Apollo Tyres Foundation has intensified TB-Free India Campaign by engaging - Heroes on Wheels
(Truck Drivers) and other vulnerable groups across 32 locations in 19
States in the country to create
awareness of Tuberculosis. They have also adopted 75 TB patients under the Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt
Bharat Abhiyan. Noting that truck drivers
form an important cohort of TB patients, Dr Mandaviya stated that it is
important to enhance awareness about TB prevention and control through timely
testing, completing the treatment course, etc. He added that the initiative of 75 trucks branded with TB
messages from five locations (Delhi, Mudra Port- Gujarat, Hyderabad, Jalandhar
and Agartala) will boost efforts to address TB among truckers’ communities and
others closely associated with the community.
He also urged other corporates, institutions, trade bodies, associations
and individuals to come forward and actively support India’s battle against
tuberculosis.
Roli Singh, Addl Secy & MD NHM, Health Ministry
thanked the corporates and partner agencies for coming together and
contributing through their own strategies towards the Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt
Bharat Abhiyan. She stated that the corporate sector can play a key role in
reaching the last mile and linking the community to the various initiatives of
the government. She highlighted that 300 corporates have taken the corporate TB
pledge.
Dr Kuldeep Singh Sachdeva, South East Asia Regional
Director, The International Union against Lung diseases and Tuberculosis, Gaurav
Kumar, Chief Financial Officer, Apollo Tyres Ltd and Rinika Grover, Head,
Sustainability and CSR, Apollo Tyres were present on the occasion.