84 TB Patients Adopted Under Nikshay Mitra Initiative in Chhachhrauli
All 84 tuberculosis patients receiving treatment through the Community Health Centre (CHC) Chhachhrauli have been adopted under the Nikshay Mitra initiative, following efforts by SDM Jaspal Singh Gill to bring administration and community members together in support of TB patients.
The development was announced during a meeting of the Block TB Forum held in Chhachhrauli under the chairmanship of SDM Jaspal Singh Gill. Dr Vagish Gutan, Additional Medical Officer at CHC Chhachhrauli, and Dr Charu Kalra, District TB Officer, also participated in the meeting. The discussion focused on strengthening community involvement, ensuring nutrition support during treatment and improving awareness about TB symptoms, testing and treatment.
Nutrition kits were provided to TB patients on the occasion. Officials and participants stressed that medical treatment and nutritional support need to go together, particularly during the treatment period. They also emphasised that sustained community participation can help health authorities reach more people who may need screening, treatment or support.
Community Support at the Heart of Nikshay Mitra
During the meeting, participants were informed about the role of the Nikshay Mitra initiative in providing nutrition-related assistance to people undergoing TB treatment. Under the initiative, an individual, social organisation, institution, industrial establishment or corporate organisation can support a TB patient during the treatment period by helping provide nutritional assistance, including nutrition kits.
The adoption of all 84 patients associated with CHC Chhachhrauli represents a local effort to connect patients with community support. The objective is not to replace medical care, but to supplement treatment with practical nutritional assistance and social support during a period when patients may require sustained help.
SDM Jaspal Singh Gill said TB elimination cannot be treated as the responsibility of the health department alone. He called for active participation from government departments, social organisations, industrial and corporate institutions and the general public so that awareness, screening, treatment support and follow-up can be strengthened at the community level.
Schools Asked to Strengthen TB Awareness
The meeting also underlined the role of the education department in building awareness among young people. Schools were asked to organise activities for students and teachers covering TB symptoms, prevention, testing and treatment. The aim is to improve understanding of the disease and encourage people to seek medical advice and testing when symptoms appear.
Officials also encouraged departments and institutions to identify opportunities for wider participation in the Nikshay Mitra programme. More individuals, organisations and establishments can support eligible TB patients with nutrition and other permissible assistance during treatment, helping create a stronger network around the public health programme.
Free Testing and Early Treatment Stressed
SDM Gill appealed to residents not to delay medical evaluation if they develop symptoms that could be associated with TB. People who suspect they may have the disease were advised to approach the nearest health facility, including CHC Chhachhrauli, for testing. The report said TB testing services are provided free of cost through the public health system.
Early testing and timely treatment can help patients receive appropriate medical care and can also contribute to reducing the risk of transmission. Public awareness is therefore an important part of the wider TB response, alongside diagnosis, treatment adherence and follow-up by health workers.
Focus on Coordination Across Departments
The Block TB Forum called for coordinated action among the departments concerned so that screening and treatment services can reach every eligible person. The emphasis was on connecting the health system with schools, government offices, social organisations, industrial establishments and local communities.
The meeting also highlighted that support for TB patients extends beyond medicines. Nutrition, awareness, social support and regular engagement can help patients remain connected with care during the treatment period. The adoption of the 84 patients at CHC Chhachhrauli was presented as an example of how local participation can complement the work of health authorities.
Those present included Kapil Manish Garg, Kalyan Singh, Jagdish Dhiman, Kailash Chand Sharma, Ramjatan, Palak Aggarwal, Kalyan, Yogesh Aggarwal, Gaurav, Dr Nancy Aggarwal, Dr Vijay Mittal, Dr Ritesh, Jaspal STS and staff members of Government Health Centre Chhachhrauli, among others.
The administration urged residents, institutions and community groups to contribute within the framework of the Nikshay Mitra initiative and to support efforts aimed at early detection and completion of treatment. The message from the meeting was that TB elimination requires sustained cooperation between healthcare workers, government departments and society, with patients receiving both medical care and appropriate community support.
