Crowdfunding under govt's Ni-kshay Mitra comes to the aid of TB eradication

Initiative seeks to involve communities in adopting patients and ensuring proper food for them

The crowdfunding model – a large number of people contributing small amounts for a common purpose usually through a website – made its way into public healthcare on Friday as President Droupadi Murmu launched the Ni-kshay Mitra initiative that seeks to ensure adequate and nutritional food for those being treated for tuberculosis (TB).

Each food-basket is likely to cost Rs 1,000-1,200 a month to the donor. There are 1.3 million people being treated for TB in India, of which 890,000 have already agreed to be part of this programme. The Centre expects this initiative will help in achieving the target