How Bharat is fighting TB through Jan Bhagidari: Health minister writes about govt & citizens working together to make the country TB-free by 2025

Source: The post is based on the article “How Bharat is fighting TB through Jan Bhagidari: Health minister writes about govt & citizens working together to make the country TB-free by 2025” published in The Times of India on 10^th September 2022.

Syllabus: GS 2 – Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health

News: The Prime Minister of India has set the goal of making India TB free by 2025 which is ahead of the global target of 2030 for eliminating the disease.

Jan Bhagidari plays an important role in achieving this target.

GoI has launched Ni-kshay Poshan Yojana under the aegis of the National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP) to achieve this target.

What is Ni-kshay Poshan Yojana?

This scheme helps patients to target their nutritional requirements.

This scheme has helped 62.71 lakh TB patients with financial support of Rs 1,651 crore between 2018 and June 2022.

This includes direct benefit transfer of Rs 500 per month into the bank account of the person with TB.

What is Ni-Kshay 2.0 portal?

GoI has recently initiated the Ni-Kshay 2.0 portal under the Pradhan Mantri TB-Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan.

This was launched by President Droupadi Murmu.

The objective of Ni-kshay 2.0 is to end the existing social problems and discrimination against TB patients by providing nutritional and social support.

Any individual or organization (corporates, NGOs, etc.) can register as Ni-kshay Mitra on the Ni-kshay 2.0 portal to support people affected by the disease.

TB patients can be supported for a minimum duration of one year and a maximum of three years in any block or district across the country.

What kind of support do patients need?

TB patients need three kinds of essential supports. They are:

First, a kit that contains appropriate food and supplements to take care of patient’s nutritional needs.

Second, patients’ need support for additional lab-based diagnostic requirements.

Third, support is needed to provide patients with vocational skills which will help them to join the workforce and live a prosperous and productive life.

GoI also provide free diagnosis, free medicines and other kinds of support to people who have been affected by the disease.

What role is played by Jan Bhagadari and how important is it?

Jan Bhagidari (people’s participation) plays an important role in achieving any target and making India a prosperous nation.

Swachh Bharat Mission, Covid vaccination drive and the recently Har Ghar Tiranga campaign are successful examples of Jan Bhagaidari (people’s participation).

Therefore, collective strength and people’s participation is needed to move towards a TB-free India by 2025.