Sri Vijaya Puram | January 29, 2026
Reinforcing the role of nutrition in tuberculosis (TB) care and recovery, Canara Bank has joined the TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan as a Nikshay Mitra and committed to providing nutritional support to 50 TB patients in South Andaman district for a period of one year.
To mark the commencement of this support, a nutritional kit distribution programme was organized recently at the District TB Centre, GB Pant Hospital Complex, Sri Vijaya Puram. The programme was attended by Mr. Deblin Dutta, Chief Manager, Canara Bank; Dr. H. M. Siddaraju, Director of Health Services; and Dr. P. Lal, Joint Secretary (NTEP), along with health officials and staff.
The Nikshay Mitra initiative, launched under the National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP), encourages corporate houses, institutions and individuals to provide additional nutritional, diagnostic and psychosocial support to TB patients, complementing the free medical treatment offered by the government.
Speaking on the occasion, health officials highlighted that adequate nutrition plays a critical role in strengthening immunity, improving treatment adherence and enhancing recovery outcomes among TB patients. They appreciated Canara Bank’s proactive participation and contribution towards community welfare and public health.
The collaboration between the banking sector and the health department under the Nikshay Mitra initiative is expected to significantly bolster efforts to achieve the national goal of TB elimination. Officials expressed confidence that such partnerships will have a positive and lasting impact on patient care.
It was also informed that ANIIDCO and the State Bank of India, Port Blair, are extending similar nutritional support to TB patients across the Islands. In addition, several NGOs, social workers, PRI representatives and individuals from various sections of society are actively contributing to the cause.
The collective efforts of all stakeholders, officials said, will play a vital role in realizing the vision of TB-free Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
