Imphal: Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla on Saturday led a programme to distribute nutritional food baskets to tuberculosis (TB) patients and their caregivers at the MSFDS auditorium in Imphal.
The initiative is being supported by the National Thermal Power Corporation Limited (NTPC) under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme. NTPC is participating as a Nikshay Mitra under the National TB Elimination Programme’s TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan.
Under the initiative, NTPC has allocated around Rs 2.9 crore to provide six months of nutritional support to approximately 1,800 TB patients across all districts of Manipur.
During the programme, Bhalla distributed nutritional kits and also handed over advanced handheld, AI-enabled X-ray machines to state health officials and Deputy Commissioners. The equipment is intended to strengthen early detection of TB, particularly in remote and difficult-to-reach areas.
Addressing the gathering, the Governor said reported TB indicators in Manipur appeared encouraging but cautioned that the actual burden could be higher because cases may remain undetected in remote areas.
He directed the Health Department and district administrations to make maximum use of the new X-ray technology and closely monitor its effectiveness in identifying TB cases.
Bhalla welcomed NTPC’s contribution and expressed hope that the nutritional support programme could be expanded as more patients are identified.
He also appealed to community leaders and local organisations to register as Nikshay Mitras and contribute towards providing comprehensive support to TB patients.
The Governor stressed that coordinated efforts involving government agencies, public sector organisations, communities and civil society would be important to achieve the goal of a TB-free India.
Chief Secretary Rajeev Singh Thakur, NTPC Chairman and Managing Director Gurdeep Singh, and Health and Family Welfare Commissioner Sumant Singh were among those present at the event.