In the Partnership Action against Tuberculosis (PAcT) Summit held on 16th March 2023, Union Health minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya announced that more than 71,000 Nik-shay Mitras have volunteered to support over 10 lakh TB patients through Union Government’s Ni-kshay scheme. 

75 Trucks of Apollo Tyres Foundation, branded with TB messages from five locations (Delhi, Mudra Port- Gujarat, Hyderabad, Jalandhar, and Agartala) were flagged off by him. Apollo Tyres Foundation has intensified TB-Free India Campaign by engaging - Heroes on Wheels (Truck Drivers) and other vulnerable groups across 32 locations in 19 States in the country to create awareness of Tuberculosis. They have also adopted 75 TB patients under the Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan.  

Highlighting that truck drivers form an important cohort of TB patients, Dr. Mandaviya stated that this initiative will boost efforts to address TB among truckers’ communities and others closely associated with them. 

Multi-sectoral engagement is a key pillar of NTEP and hence the Union Minister urged everyone to come forward in the spirit of Jan Bhagidari to achieve the goal of making India TB free by 2025. He also urged other corporates, institutions, trade bodies, associations, and individuals for actively support India’s battle against tuberculosis.

The Union Health Minister also distributed nutrition baskets to several TB patients at the event.