Sign in Subscribe
Nutrition

Union Health Minister Unveils Key Initiatives to Boost Nutrition Support for TB Patients and their Families

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

India's Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Shri J P Nadda, has announced significant enhancements to nutrition support for TB patients and their household contacts. In a move aimed at eliminating TB by 2025, as part of the Sustainable Development Goals, Nadda unveiled a range of initiatives. The nutrition support under the Ni-Kshay Poshan Yojana will increase from the existing Rs. 500 per month to Rs. 1,000 per month for all TB patients. Additionally, a new initiative will provide energy-dense nutrition supplementation to underweight patients. This expansion of nutritional support will benefit all 25 lakh TB patients annually and approximately 12 lakh underweight patients, who will receive the supplementation for the first two months of their treatment.

Key Takeaways:

  • Nutrition support under Ni-Kshay Poshan Yojana has been increased from Rs. 500 to Rs. 1,000 per month for all TB patients.
  • The government will introduce energy-dense nutrition supplementation for underweight patients (BMI less than 18.5 kg/m2at the time of diagnosis) for the first two months of their treatment.
  • The measure will cost the Government of India an additional Rs. 1,040 crores, shared between the center and states on a 60:40 basis.
  • All household contacts of TB patients will be covered under the Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan and will be eligible to receive social support from the community.
  • Till date, Rs. 3,202 crores have been disbursed to 1.13 crore beneficiaries through Direct Benefit Transfer under Ni-kshay Poshan Yojana.

Statistics:

  • 25 lakh TB patients will benefit from enhanced nutrition support under Ni-Kshay Poshan Yojana annually.
  • Approximately 12 lakh underweight patients will receive energy-dense nutrition supplementation for the first two months of their treatment.
  • Rs. 1,040 crores will be the additional cost to the Government of India to implement this initiative.
  • 1.13 crore beneficiaries have been supported through Direct Benefit Transfer under Ni-kshay Poshan Yojana, which totals Rs. 3,202 crores.

Sources:

  • Twitter: @JPNadda
  • Press Information Bureau (PIB) Delhi: MV HFW/Nutritional Support to TB Patients/07th October 2024/5 (Release ID: 2062928)
  • Jagat Prakash Nadda (@JPNadda): "India is resolute and committed to #TBMuktBharat under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi ji."

Read more