Hyderabad, Dec.7 (NSS): As part of the TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan programme, Union Minister G Kishan Reddy launched a 100-day extensive campaign to eradicate tuberculosis in nine districts of Telangana at TB hospital (STDT) in Erragadda.
Speaking on the occasion, he said the Narendra Modi government had taken several initiatives to eradicate the tuberculosis in the country completely.
“After Narendra Modi took over as Prime Minister, he spent around Rs 22,000 crore for the TB eradication programmes across the country. The disease can be prevented and eradicated by removing the misconceptions about the tuberculosis and awakening the community.
“If the disease is detected and treated from the beginning, tuberculosis can be completely relieved. The TB patients need to be sensitised to remove the misconceptions by giving them courage. The 100-day Nikshay Shivir campaign is being conducted in 347 districts across the country. The Central government has initiated measures through the TB-Mukt Bharat Abhiyan (PMTB MBA) for patients while undergoing treatment,” he said while noting various programmes are being undertaken for 100 days to go to the people in remote areas and conduct relief operations.
Underlining India’s firm commitment to TB eradication, he said monthly nutritional support under Ni-Ksheesh Poshan Yojana had been doubled to Rs 1000 from the existing Rs 500 for all the TB patients during treatment.
He said starting from the sarpanch of the village to MPTC, ZPTCs, councillors, municipal chairpersons, MLAs, MPs, NGOs and college students would participate in the programme and added that everyone should be a part of the initiatives towards a TB-free India.
He said the Central government had introduced mobile medical units across the country and added that it was conducting a community-based programme that encourages volunteers (Nikshay Mitras) to provide supplementary assistance in the form of food baskets, often in the form of food baskets.
“People’s representatives and officials should take the initiative to adopt the TB patients along with the government. In addition to providing monthly nutritional supply, other initiatives should be undertaken. The society should also stand up to support the programmes being done by the Central government. The TB patients should move forward without getting depressed and taking nutritious food with courage,” he said.
