India launches community support scheme for ‘adopting’ TB patients, providing nutritional assistance

Subject: Governance

Individuals, non-profits, institutions and corporations can now “adopt” tuberculosis (TB) patients to support their nutritional needs, additional diagnostics and vocational training.
This is part of the Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaanlaunched by President DroupadiMurmu September 9, 2022. Under this, the Nikshay Mitra aspect paves the way for this community support system as India inches closer to the target date of eradicating TB by 2025, five years ahead of the SDG deadline.
The three pronged support includes nutritional, additional diagnostic, and vocational support. The donors, called Ni-kshayMitras, could be a wide range of stakeholders from elected representatives, political parties, to corporates, NGOs, and individuals.
The minimum time period for providing support is one year and this is a voluntary An anonymous list of patients who have given their consent to be a part of this scheme can be found on the official Nikshay website, where their case details are listed.

Nikshay Poshan Yojana

The NPY was launched in 2018 by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
NPY is India’s flagship nutrition support scheme for TB patients.
It aims to support every Tuberculosis (TB) Patient by providing a Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) of Rs 500 per month for nutritional needs.