The 'Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan' (PMTBMBA) scheme launched in 2022 involves which novel approach to TB elimination in India?

• A Universal drug-sensitivity testing before initiating any TB treatment
• B Mandatory hospitalization for all smear-positive TB patients for the intensive phase
• C Deployment of drone-based sputum sample transport to district TB laboratories
• D Ni-kshay Mitra — involving elected representatives, NGOs, and corporates as 'adoptors' to provide nutritional and other support to TB patients ✓

Explanation

PMTBMBA (September 2022) introduced the 'Ni-kshay Mitra' concept where volunteer entities — elected representatives, institutions, NGOs, CSR arms of corporations, and individuals — 'adopt' TB patients (notified in Nikshay) and provide supplementary nutritional support, vocational training, and emotional support beyond the government's Nikshay Poshan Yojana (Rs. 500/month). This community-engagement model aims to bridge nutritional and social gaps to achieve TB elimination by 2025. Universal DST is part of NTEP but predates PMTBMBA.

Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.