Page 65 - Mann Ki Baat September 2022

up the reporting chain at the with TB patients through the
national level. The IT platform, Ni- course of their treatment. Those
kshay, serves as a live national who come forward can choose
data repository that enables the the nature of support they wish to
programme teams to undertake extend – e.g. additional nutrition,
advanced analytics and provides support for additional diagnosis
an enormous resource for and investigations, or towards
generating concurrent insights vocational training to the patients.
into TB epidemiology, treatment It is extremely heart-warming
coverage and programme to witness the amazing response
functioning. We are also actively this initiative has received in less
exploring AI solutions to strengthen than a month. Under the Abhiyaan,
certain programme elements, a cohort of 10 lakh TB patients
such as X-ray screenings, consented to receive support. In
automated reading of diagnostic response, over 28,000 Ni-kshay
tests, hotspot mapping, etc. These Mitras (the donors) have come
novel tools hold immense promise forward to support over 9.8 lakh
in improving the accurate (97%) of them. This is a shining
targeting of interventions. example of the commitment
No national health mission of our generous society toward
can succeed without the active making India a healthier nation
participation and mobilization of and caring for the most needy.
people. In our run-up to the 2025 This initiative should go hand
target, which is not too far, people in hand with other efforts by us
from all walks of life need to come all. Most importantly, let us help
together for a Jan Andolan to individuals in our knowledge to
eliminate TB. There is a special seek care if they have prolonged
onus for this on influential voices cough or other signs of TB
from the society particularly because early care-seeking is
the elected representatives, the key to other actions. Lend a
corporate leaders, influencers, helping hand to the individuals to
media persons and community get an X-ray and other tests done
leaders on the ground to lend and treatment started. Media can
their support for the cause of TB play an even greater role in de-
elimination. stigmatizing the disease. We need
The Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt to reach our tribal populations, in
Bharat Abhiyaan, launched by particular, where difficult reach
the President of India last month, and poor family resources pose
is a unique initiative to leverage special challenges. Tribal welfare
society’s goodwill to extend a departments and NGOs need
caring hand to the TB patients. to make all-out efforts for this
The idea of this movement is to mission.
rally the community behind the The End TB goalpost is in
TB elimination mission. The PM sight. Coupled with an effective
TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan aims to programme thrust, a strong Jan
connect a range of stakeholders, Andolan will power our final sprint
from individuals to organisations, to the finish line.

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