Shillong (Meghalaya), Nov 8 : D. Dharma Rao, National Consultant – PMTBMBA, Central TB Division (CTD), Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, GOI met Governor, Phagu Chauhan at the Raj Bhavan, here today.
In this meeting, D. Dharma Rao and officials from the State TB Cell, Meghalaya apprised the Governor of the progress of Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (PMTBMBA) in the state of Meghalaya.
Governor Phagu Chauhan, is a donor/Nikshay Mitra providing Nutritional Support to TB Patients of Meghalaya.
He appreciated the efforts of 132 generous Nikshay Mitras(Individuals, elected representatives, NGOs, Corporations, Cooperatives, Faith-based organisations, officials from various departments etc) who have come forward to support a total of 1177 TB patients in Meghalaya.
Currently, 2937 TB patients are undergoing treatment across the state. He pointed out that Meghalaya has a relatively low population infected with TB and if we try harder, he felt that a hundred per cent coverage of nutritional support for the TB patients in the state is quite achievable. Through this meeting, he appealed for more donors to come forward and participate in this noble cause- Ni-kshay Mitra.
It was informed that Ni-kshay Mitra initiative will increase the active involvement of society in the fight against tuberculosis. It was briefed that improving the nutritional status of TB patients shall result in better treatment outcomes and also reduce discrimination and stigma associated with TB.
Nikshay Mitra is an online platform where any individual (donor) can register themselves and pledge nutritional support for TB patients.