Commendable Initiative at PHC Naugachia Under Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan; Nikshay Mitras and Doctors Distribute Nutritional Support Kits to Six TB Patients, Pray for Their Health Recovery
Bhagalpur, Special Correspondent: To realize Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of making the country tuberculosis (TB) free by the year 2025-26 at the grassroots level, the health department continues to remain vigilant. Taking this national resolution forward, an inspiring and humane program was organized at the Primary Health Centre (PHC) Naugachia in Silk City Bhagalpur. Under the 'Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan', Nutritional Support Kits were distributed free of cost to six tuberculosis (TB) patients with the cooperation of sensitive citizens of society and 'Nikshay Mitras'. During this event, prominent physician Dr. B. Das and other healthcare workers (ANMs) personally provided nutritious materials to the patients and offered them mental strength to fight the disease.
What is the Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan and the 'Nikshay Mitra' Initiative?
Operated by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, this campaign has taken the form of a mass movement to eradicate severe diseases like TB from the country from their roots:
Unique Initiative of Becoming a Nikshay Mitra: Under this campaign, the 'Nikshay Mitra' scheme serves as a crucial link. Within this framework, capable citizens, public representatives, organizations, or doctors voluntarily adopt TB patients and regularly provide them with nutritious food during the duration of their treatment.
Importance of Nutrition: According to medical science, along with medications, consuming high-quality nutritious food is extremely essential for TB patients. Malnourished or physically weak patients find it difficult for TB medicines to take effect; therefore, nutritional kits rapidly increase their recovery rate.
Details of the Event Organized at PHC Naugachia
The atmosphere at this distribution ceremony held at Primary Health Centre (PHC) Naugachia was entirely positive and encouraging:
Commendable Presence of Dr. B. Das and ANMs: Renowned area physician Dr. B. Das, the in-charge medical officer of the hospital, and other dedicated ANMs and health workers were present during the event. The guests handed over nutrient-rich kits containing pulses, rice, gram, soybean, oil, and multivitamins to all six identified TB patients with their own hands.
Counseling and Encouragement of Patients: During the distribution of kits, doctors conversed extensively with the patients and their relatives. They explained to the patients that TB is not an incurable disease, provided its medicines are taken regularly on time. Discontinuing medication midway can cause the disease to take a more severe form (MDR-TB), making discipline imperative.
Smiles Return to the Faces of Patients and Their Relatives
After receiving the nutritional support kits from PHC Naugachia, a deep sense of satisfaction and happiness was witnessed among the patients and their family members:
Gratitude Toward Governance and Administration: Patients shared that due to financial constraints, they often could not take proper care of their diet, resulting in persistent weakness and fatigue. The nutritional food received from Nikshay Mitras and the health department will provide them with significant assistance in winning this battle.
Message of Social Participation: Such events convey a message to society that when ordinary people step forward as 'Nikshay Mitras' alongside the governmental apparatus to fulfill basic needs like healthcare, achieving any major goal becomes easier.
This initiative of distributing nutritional support kits to six TB patients by Nikshay Mitras under the Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan at PHC Naugachia serves as an excellent example for society. This program, successfully executed under the leadership of Dr. B. Das and local health workers, reinforces that if society and administration make concerted efforts, not only Bhagalpur district but the entire country will soon become completely free from the curse of TB. This step will prove to be a milestone toward building a healthy and nourished society.
