LUCKNOW, JAN 2 : Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has launched an innovative initiative to accelerate progress towards in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a ‘TB-Free India’.

The CM has entrusted retired IAS and IPS officers, former Vice Chancellors, educationists, and other senior citizens with the pivotal role of ‘Nikshay Mitra.’

As ‘Nikshay Mitras,’ they will actively contribute to raising public awareness and supporting efforts to eradicate TB.

Yogi on Thursday convened a meeting with these senior citizens, emphasizing the importance of their cooperation in ensuring the success of the ‘TB-Free UP’ campaign.

Welcoming retired IAS and IPS officers, former Vice Chancellors, and senior citizens to a special meeting, he highlighted PM Modi’s vision of a TB-Free India. “A strong India can only emerge from a healthy India, and India will gain true power when it becomes strong,” he said.

The CM underscored the urgency of eliminating TB, stating that while the World Health Organization has set 2030 as the global target for a TB-free world, PM Modi has ambitiously advanced India’s goal to 2025.

He pointed out that India has the highest number of TB patients globally, and as UP is the most populous state, its contribution is critical to achieving this national goal.

Yogi detailed the significant strides made in UP towards TB elimination and said, “TB testing rates in the state have quadrupled in recent years, a substantial increase in Nat and X-ray machines has improved diagnostic capabilities, and the success rate of TB treatment has risen from 79 percent to 92 percent over the past four years.”

He 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 CM highlighted that over 45,000 Nikshay Mitras have adopted TB patients and 1,372 Gram Panchayats in the state have already 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. He stressed that every TB patient must receive immediate, accurate, and sustained medical care, along with proper nutrition and family screening, to prevent the disease from spreading further.

Yogi said, “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.”

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 UP, stressing the necessity of involving all sections of society in this mission.

The retired officers and Vice Chancellors present expressed gratitude for the CM’s call to action and pledged their full cooperation in this vital initiative.