Assam: Nutritional supplement kits distributed among TB patients

NAGAON: Nikshay Mitra under Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan enables people to adopt tuberculosis patients and take care of their nutritional requirements. The goal is to reduce stigma around TB diseases and make the TB elimination programme a mass movement, which can only be accomplished with community support, better care, and adoption of TB patients. The Government of India is committed to ending tuberculosis by 2025, and the community can play a vital role in supporting the National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP).

As part of this Nikshay Mitra programme, Krsnaa Diagnostics Ltd rolled out the Nikhay Mitra programme on Wednesday in the conference hall of BP District Civil Hospital, Nagaon under which Krsnaa Diagnostics has adopted 400 tuberculosis patients. Nutritional supplement kits to the TB patients were ceremonially distributed as per their nutritional requirement.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Lakhidhar Das, Superintendent of BP Civil Hospital, Nagaon said TB is not only a disease but a social problem as well. Such multi-faceted issues are beyond the efforts of the health sector alone and call for comprehensive solutions by meaningful involvement of non-health sectors.

“We need to focus on motivating people to continue treatment and at the same time take affirmative action towards removal of superstitions and stigma,” he said, adding that the initiative of dietary support to TB patients by Krsnaa Diagnostics Ltd will help to destigmatize the disease and support the mission of the Prime Minister.

Dr AJ Kalita, Intersectoral Engagement Expert, STSU, National TB Elimination Programme, Assam, said TB is one of the world’s leading killer diseases, but it is cent percent preventable and curable. Along with proper nutrition, convergence of diverse stakeholders with the National TB Elimination Programme is important.

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