Latest news with #NikshayMitra
Hans India
31-05-2025
- Health
- Hans India
Collector urges people to strive for TB-free society
Eluru: District Collector K Vetriselvi has called upon people to strive for a tuberculosis-free society. She unveiled awareness posters and pamphlets on tuberculosis eradication as part of the intensified TB Mukt Bharat campaign at the Collectorate here on Friday. Speaking on this occasion, she said that the Central and State governments are taking special steps to prevent tuberculosis. Under the TB Poshan Abhiyan, tests will be conducted for tuberculosis patients and medicines will be provided free of cost. Those with symptoms should get tested at the nearest health centres and take medicines. Under the Prime Minister's TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan, anyone can adopt a TB patient and register as a Nikshay Mitra. For this, they can contact the Ni-Kshay Sampark helpline 1800-11-6666 toll-free. TB should be defeated not only through treatment but also through prevention. The Collector suggested officials strive for removing misconceptions about this disease and proper precautions should be taken. She said that in the current situation where technology has developed, the diagnosis of this disease has become easier. By identifying every case, this disease can be completely eradicated. Cough alone is not a sign of TB. If anyone experiences symptoms such as a sudden change in physical health, a cough with sputum, blood in the sputum, fever, chest pain, fatigue, nausea, or hives or swelling in any part of the body, they should contact the nearest health care provider, she said. DMHO Dr R Malini, DIO Dr Nageswara Rao and others participated in the programme.
Hans India
27-05-2025
- Health
- Hans India
Top priority to make Kurnool TB-free district: Collector
Kurnool: District Collector P Ranjith Basha on Monday directed officials to effectively implement the 'TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan' campaign and work towards making Kurnool a tuberculosis (TB)-free district. The Collector unveiled the campaign posters of 'TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan' at the Sunayana Auditorium in the Collectorate. Addressing the gathering, the Collector announced that the campaign will formally commence on June 2. As part of the Intensified TB Screening initiative, individuals belonging to high-risk groups across the district will be identified and screened. Those exhibiting symptoms will be subjected to NAAT or X-ray testing. If TB is diagnosed, prompt medical treatment will be initiated, he stated. He elaborated that the high-risk population has been classified into seven categories: people above 60 years of age, those with diabetes, hypertension, cancer, individuals who had undergone TB treatment in the past five years, smokers, alcohol consumers, mine and factory workers, prisoners, the homeless, and residents of orphanages and shelters. All these groups will be screened for ten common TB symptoms. The Collector also emphasized the importance of community involvement through the Nikshay Mitra and Jan-Bhagidari initiatives, appealing to district and mandal-level officials, industrialists, NGOs, corporate bodies, elected representatives, and other willing individuals to register as Nikshay Mitras. These volunteers are expected to provide nutritional support and moral assistance to TB patients, thereby aiding the goal of eradicating TB from society. He stressed the need to organise TB awareness sessions through local leaders, self-help groups, health committees, and urban/rural institutions to foster widespread community awareness. Further, he urged active participation from departments such as Panchayati Raj, PD-DRDA, and PD-MEPMA in the national priority initiative and called for coordinated implementation of the campaign. District Leprosy, AIDS, and TB Officer Dr L Bhaskar, District Medical and Health Officer Dr Shanti Kala, District Malaria Officer Nookaraju, DNMO Dr G Mallikarjuna Reddy, and several TB support staff attended the meeting.
New Indian Express
19-05-2025
- Health
- New Indian Express
6,237 tested positive for tuberculosis in Madurai district in 2024; males most affected
MADURAI: In 2024, a total of 6,237 people tested positive for tuberculosis (TB) in Madurai district, and the treatment success rate for the bacterial disease stood at 87% (4,934 people cured), according to official records. Besides, 1,809 cases were detected in the first three months of this year, with health officials saying TB is more prevalent in the district among men. As per records, in 2023, 5,879 new cases were detected in the district, and the total number of people cured stood at 4,719 (87% treatment success rate). Similarly, 6,075 tested positive in 2022, and the treatment success rate was 88% (3,761 cured). Dr Rajasekar, Deputy Director of Medical Services (Tuberculosis), Madurai, told TNIE, "In Madurai district, besides a majority of the TB patients being men, the disease is prevalent among the age group of 15 to 65 years, as they travel to many places and also play a role in spreading the infection." Under the Nikshay Mitra scheme, the officials have carried out screening for tuberculosis across the district, along with the support of donors, who offered support to the patients, including nutritional aid (food baskets), diagnostic assistance, and vocational training. Till 2024, 114 volunteers were involved in the district under the scheme. On the role of immunity in the spread of the disease, Rajasekar said, "According to their immune status, 5-10% of the infected individuals, who had contracted tuberculosis through airborne transmission, develop the disease. Thus, the disease is common among the elderly, people with uncontrolled diabetes, HIV patients, and those taking immunosuppressants. So, we take into account the friends or relatives who are closer to the TB patients for screening." In the urban areas, mobile diagnostic units were sent to factories, garment showrooms, and construction sites. Officials said around 440 camps were held in Madurai, and 16,086 X-rays were taken for the purpose. As a result, 82 new TB cases were identified in 2024. An official from health department said, "Under the TN-KET scheme (Tamil Nadu Kasanoi Erappila Thittam) 267 patients suffering from severe infection were identified and were admitted as inpatients. Besides, 20 NAAT (Nucleic Acid Amplification Test) centres also played a significant role in TB diagnosis in the district." Explaining that the disease could either be drug sensitive or drug resistant, Rajasekar said, "The treatment period for patients with drug-sensitive TB is nearly five months, whereas for those with drug-resistant TB, where the infection has spread to the nervous system, the treatment could take up to two years."
The Hindu
13-05-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
PM Modi calls for targeted interventions in TB elimination efforts
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday (May 13, 2025) underscored the importance of targeted interventions and technology-led outreach in the fight against tuberculosis, while chairing a high-level review meeting on the National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP) at his official residence. The Prime Minister emphasised the need to analyse TB patient data based on urban-rural distinctions and occupational categories. 'This will help identify vulnerable groups requiring early testing and treatment, especially workers in construction, mining, textile and other high-risk sectors,' Mr. Modi observed. Highlighting the curability of TB with regular treatment, the Prime Minister said the public must be made more aware, with less fear and more support. He called upon Nikshay Mitra —volunteers who support TB patients, to leverage digital platforms and interactive technologies to engage with patients effectively. He reiterated the role of public participation (Jan Bhagidari) and cleanliness in the elimination strategy, and stressed the importance of ensuring that each patient receives uninterrupted treatment. During the meeting, the Prime Minister reviewed encouraging data from the World Health Organization's Global TB Report 2024, which notes an 18% reduction in TB incidence in India - from 237 to 195 per lakh population between 2015 and 2023 - double the global pace. TB mortality in India fell by 21%, and treatment coverage rose to 85%. Officials also presented updates on key infrastructure enhancements under NTEP, including the expansion of the TB diagnostic network to 8,540 NAAT (Nucleic Acid Amplification Testing) laboratories and 87 culture and drug susceptibility testing labs. The current diagnostic infrastructure includes over 26,700 X-ray units, with 500 AI-enabled handheld devices already deployed and an additional 1,000 in the pipeline. The decentralisation of TB services - free screening, diagnosis, treatment, and nutritional support - through Ayushman Arogya Mandirs was highlighted as a cornerstone of the programme's outreach. New initiatives introduced in recent months include shorter drug regimens for drug-resistant TB, indigenous molecular diagnostics, nutrition interventions, and screening in high-risk congregate settings such as mines, construction sites, urban slums and tea gardens. Since 2018, the Ni-kshay Poshan Yojana has facilitated Direct Benefit Transfer payments to 1.28 crore TB patients, with the incentive amount raised to ₹1,000 in 2024. Under the Nikshay Mitra initiative, 2.55 lakh volunteers have distributed 29.4 lakh nutrition baskets to patients. The Prime Minister called for scaling up successful strategies nationwide and reaffirmed India's commitment to eliminating TB. The meeting also reviewed the 100-Day TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan, which screened 12.97 crore individuals in high-focus districts, resulting in the detection of 7.19 lakh TB cases - including 2.85 lakh asymptomatic patients. Over 1 lakh new Nikshay Mitra joined the effort during the campaign. Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister Dr. P.K. Mishra, and other senior officials were present at the meeting.
Hans India
13-05-2025
- Health
- Hans India
Granules India Limited Extends Support to 1,030 TB Patients in Bhadradri Kothagudem District
Granules India Limited, a leading pharmaceutical company, today launched its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative to support 1,030 tuberculosis (TB) patients in Bhadradri Kothagudem District, Telangana. Under this programme, the company has committed to providing nutritional kits to TB patients for six months, with a total distribution of 6,180 kits throughout the duration of the project. Each Nutritional Kit consists of Rice, Millets, Cooking oil, and Groundnuts, and other wholesome food items. This activity is part of the Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan, a national programme launched by the Government of India aimed at eliminating TB by 2025. Granules India Limited is registered as Nikshay Mitra with the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India. The project will be carried out with the Akshaya Patra Foundation as the implementation partner. This initiative comes at a critical time, as India bears the world's highest tuberculosis burden, accounting for nearly 27% of the global incidence. According to the Global TB Report 2023, an estimated 2.82 million new TB cases occurred in India in 2022, with approximately 331,000 deaths attributed to the disease. The inaugural ceremony was held at the District Collectorate, Bhadradri Kothagudem, and was graced by Shri Jitesh V Patil, IAS, District Collector and Magistrate of Bhadradri Kothagudem, and Mrs. Uma Chigurupati, Executive Director, Granules India Limited. Speaking at the event, Uma Chigurupati said, "At Granules, we believe that good health is not just a basic right but the foundation for a prosperous and productive society. Through this initiative, we are committed to supporting TB patients with essential nutritional support, which plays a crucial role in their recovery journey. We are proud to contribute to the Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan and play our part in India's mission to eliminate TB by 2025."
