Bhubaneswar, 24 June (H.S.): Odisha Governor Dr. Hari Babu Kambhampati on Tuesday emphasised the crucial role of community involvement and social responsibility in eliminating tuberculosis and achieving the national goal under the Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan.

Chairing a high-level review meeting on the progress of the Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan in the state at Raj Bhavan here, the Governor urged citizens to come forward to adopt TB patients and contribute financially towards their nutritional needs. As a step to inspire wider public participation, he announced that Raj Bhavan will provide POSHAN kits to 100 TB patients.

“To motivate and raise awareness, Raj Bhavan will begin by offering POSHAN kits to 100 patients. We must lead by example,” Dr. Kambhampati said.

To further expand support for the cause, the Governor said he would write to all MLAs and MPs in Odisha, urging them to adopt TB patients, sponsor nutritional kits, and promote awareness in their respective constituencies. He also said he would write to university vice-chancellors, faculty members, social organisations, and philanthropists, appealing to them to come forward to adopt TB patients and sponsor nutritional kits. The Governor emphasised that eliminating TB requires not just government efforts, but a collective societal movement involving individuals, institutions, and civil society at every level.

Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the Health and Family Welfare Department, Aswathy S, presented a detailed report on the state's progress in TB detection, treatment outreach, and public engagement strategies under the Abhiyan.

Among others, the Principal Secretary to the Governor, N.B.S. Rajput; Mission Director of the National Health Mission (NHM), Odisha, Dr. Brunda D; and senior officials of the Health Department were present at the meeting.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda