HT Bureau
GUWAHATI, Oct 22: In a significant step towards strengthening community participation in the fight against tuberculosis (TB), Assam Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya on Wednesday adopted 100 TB patients from Kamrup Metro and Nagaon districts under the Ni-kshay Mitra initiative of the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP) at a ceremony held at Raj Bhavan here.
During the programme, the Governor also distributed food baskets to five TB patients and felicitated five Ni-kshay Mitras and five TB Champions in recognition of their contribution to the fight against the disease.
Related Posts:
Highlighting the importance of community involvement in public health initiatives, Acharya said tuberculosis remains one of the most pressing health challenges in the country.
However, through collective efforts, compassion, and sustained community engagement, the goal of eliminating TB is within reach.
He described the adoption of 100 TB patients as both a personal responsibility and a commitment to holistic care, emphasising that TB elimination requires not only medical intervention but also social and emotional support.
Praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi for transforming the national TB elimination campaign into a Jan Andolan, the Governor called for large-scale public participation to eradicate the disease.
He also lauded Assam’s progress in TB control, noting that the state’s testing rate has risen from 842 per lakh population in 2022 to 2,915 per lakh population, enabling early diagnosis and timely treatment.
With a 90 per cent treatment success rate, Assam is setting a benchmark in TB care and control, the Governor said.
He added that the integration of AI-based tools such as Prediction of Adverse TB Outcomes (PATO) has enhanced early prediction of complications, improving patient outcomes.
Due to these concerted efforts, the state’s TB mortality rate has dropped from 3.1 per cent to 2.4 per cent, he said.
The Governor also commended the ongoing ‘100-Day TB-Free India Campaign’ and other initiatives led by Raj Bhavan and the State Health Department to raise awareness and provide direct support to patients.
Awareness drives are being held in educational institutions, while financial and nutritional support is being extended to patients undergoing treatment.
Since the launch of the Ni-kshay Mitra initiative on September 9, 2022, Assam has registered over 21,600 Ni-kshay Mitras, who are playing a crucial role in providing holistic support to TB patients.
Acharya said such public participation is key to achieving a TB Mukt Bharat and appreciated the contributions of healthcare workers, government officials, and volunteers for their relentless service.
Reiterating his commitment to supporting TB patients and strengthening the state’s response, the Governor said that while medical treatment is essential, compassion and community involvement are equally vital in restoring health and dignity to TB patients.
His adoption of 100 TB patients, he added, symbolises solidarity and social responsibility, inspiring others to join the mission for a healthier Assam and a TB-free India.
The event was attended by Commissioner and Secretary, Health and Family Welfare Dr P Ashok Babu; Commissioner and Secretary to the Governor SS Meenakshi Sundaram; senior officials from the Raj Bhavan, National Health Mission, and State TB Cell, NTEP Assam, along with other dignitaries.
