CM Yogi Adityanath at an event in Gorakhpur, Thursday. ExpressCHIEF MINISTER Yogi Adityanath has entrusted retired IAS and IPS officers, former Vice Chancellors (V-Cs), educationists and other senior citizens with the role of ‘Nikshay Mitra’ to help in contributing to raising public awareness and supporting efforts to eradicate Tuberculosis (TB).
On Thursday, Adityanath convened a meeting with these senior citizens, discussing with them the importance of their cooperation in ensuring the success of the ‘TB-Free Uttar Pradesh’ campaign.
Welcoming the retired officers during the meeting, he highlighted Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a ‘TB-Free India.’ The CM underscored the urgency in eliminating TB, noting that even as the World Health Organization has set 2030 as the global target for a TB-free world, Prime Minister Modi has ambitiously advanced India’s goal to 2025.
He pointed out that India has the highest number of TB patients globally, and as Uttar Pradesh is the most populous state, its contribution is critical to achieving this national goal (TB eradication).
Adityanath said, “Under the Nikshay Poshan Yojana, Rs 775 crore has been disbursed via DBT to the accounts of 27 lakh TB patients to support their nutritional needs and preventive treatment is being provided to individuals living with TB patients to curb the spread of the disease.”
Emphasizing the importance of public participation, the Chief Minister highlighted that over 45,000 Nikshay Mitras have adopted TB patients and 1,372 gram panchayats in the state have been declared TB-free.
He called upon the assembled retired officers and educationists to leverage their vast experience and commitment to society by contributing to this national mission.
“TB patients are integral members of society, and it is our collective responsibility to ensure they are treated with respect and dignity. As Nikshay Mitras, you can provide them with guidance, support, and motivation,” the Chief Minister said.
He outlined the campaign’s primary goals: identifying undiagnosed TB patients, reducing TB-related mortality and safeguarding healthy individuals from infection.
The CM reaffirmed the state government’s unwavering commitment to achieving a TB-free Uttar Pradesh, stressing the necessity of involving all sections of society in this mission.