Haryana Governor Prof. Aseem Kumar Ghosh Adopts Five TB Patients as ‘Nikshay Mitra’

Chandigarh, September 1, 2025 – Haryana Governor Prof. Aseem Kumar Ghosh, along with his wife Mrs. Mitra Ghosh, adopted five tuberculosis (TB) patients under the National TB Elimination Programme by providing them with nutritional support. State TB Officer Dr. Rajesh Raju and WHO nominee Dr. Sukhwant briefed the Governor on the current status of TB initiatives in the state.

At Haryana Raj Bhavan on Monday, the Governor registered as a ‘Nikshay Mitra’ and formally adopted the patients. He assured complete support to the TB-free Haryana campaign and appealed to all sections of society to come forward and extend solidarity to TB patients and their families. “Let us all work together to build a TB-free community,” he said.

Prof. Ghosh highlighted that the Nikshay Mitra community support program was launched on September 9, 2022, by President Droupadi Murmu under the Prime Minister’s TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan. The initiative aims to improve treatment outcomes by providing additional nutritional, diagnostic, and vocational support to TB patients during their recovery.

He noted that the program was rolled out in Haryana on September 17, 2022, and so far, nearly 2,200 villages in the state have been declared TB-free. The Governor praised the state government’s efforts, adding that the initiative encourages individuals, NGOs, corporate organizations, self-help groups, and religious institutions to adopt TB patients as Nikshay Mitras.

Calling on potential donors across the state, Prof. Ghosh urged them to provide nutritional aid and assistance to ensure successful treatment for every patient. “This is a collective mission to eradicate TB from its roots. With cooperation and public participation, we will soon achieve a TB-free Haryana,” he emphasized.

The event was attended by Governor’s Secretary D.K. Behera, Senior Private Secretary Jagan Nath Bains, Dr. Rakesh Talwar, State TB Programmer Dr. Jaskirat, Dr. Sandeep Chhabra, and district TB officials.