Union Health Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya flagged off 75 trucks for countrywide awareness to eliminate tuberculosis (TB) in Delhi.

Speaking to the media, Dr Mandaviya said, “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.”

The minister said that India has its own healthcare model with shared social and national responsibilities. Multi-sectoral engagement is a key pillar in supporting the National TB Elimination Programme by leveraging cooperation from other stakeholders.

“Only through joint efforts and collaborations can we achieve the goal of making India TB free by 2025. I urge everyone to come forward in the spirit of Jan Bhagidari,” he added.

The minister 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.