Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan – The Narendra Modi government is preparing to introduce a scheme to help the nutritional needs of patients suffering from the fatal disease. The Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan (PMTBMB) programme, which is primarily driven by the office of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, will encourage monetary contributions from non-governmental organisations (NGOs), private sector corporations, or even individuals to support the dietary needs of TB patients.
About Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan
In accordance with the Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan programme, an individual, a corporate entity, NGOs, elected officials, political parties, institutions, or others can choose to adopt a TB patient or patients by adopting the moniker “Nikshay Mitra,” which means “a dear friend.”Once adopted, these friends will be in charge of giving these TB patients nutritional support and will give them a predetermined list of food plans.
Objective of the Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan
The plan’s foundation is that if patients are not given a nutritional diet, their recovery will be slowed down or impossible. The programme intends to provide patients nutritional support, which would ultimately help India fulfil the deadline of eliminating TB from the country, five years earlier than the worldwide target.
Speaking at the 74th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York in 2019, PM Modi reaffirmed his 2018 pledge that India would completely eradicate TB by 2025, five years ahead of the worldwide deadline of 2030.
The Global TB Report of 2024states that India is the leading contributor, accounting for 24% of the 10 nations’ combined 74% share of the global gap between estimated TB incidence and the number of newly diagnosed cases that are reported.
India appears on all three of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) global lists of nations with high rates of tuberculosis (TB), HIV-associated TB, and multidrug-resistant or rifampicin-resistant TB for 2024through 2025.
How will PMTBMB Operate?
As part of the programme, monthly donations of 3.5 kg of cereals, 1 litre of cooking oil, 1.5 kg of pulses, milk powder, eggs, fruits, and vegetables, among other items, would be supplied to donors to distribute to TB patients.
PM Modi will probably announce the programme in a virtual event at some point between August 20 and August 24.
“The PMO has not yet set the final dates. The ministry recommended any day between August 14 and 17 as the launch date.
The concept was also well received by the health minister, who expanded on it with PM Modi.
Out of 13.5 lakh TB Patients, 9 lakh ready to receive support: Govt data
“PM Modi expressed pleasure in launching the programme and expressed happiness with the progress. Enrollments have been taking place, and work on the programme has already started. However, after the PM inaugurates it, momentum is anticipated to increase,” the second official said.
There are around 13.5 lakh TB patients in India, of whom over nine lakh have agreed to get support from “Nikshay Mitras,” according to government statistics.
According to data, 447 people, 122 non-profit organisations, 29 corporations, 19 institutions, 18 elected officials, 10 political parties, and 4 cooperatives have so far agreed to adopt the patient (or patients) for a year.
TB Patients in India
As per the report published in March of this year, there was a 19% increase in TB cases in 2024compared to the previous year.19,33,381 incidences (new and relapse) in TB patients in 2024as opposed to 16,28,161 in 2020.Modi declared in 2018 that India would eradicate TB by 2025, five years ahead of the worldwide target of 2030. At the 2019 United Nations General Assembly’s 74th session in New York, he also reaffirmed his commitment.