Indian Government Allocates ₹4,322 Crores for TB Nutritional Support

The Indian government has disbursed a total of ₹4,322 crores to support 1.35 crore tuberculosis (TB) patients through nutritional assistance since the launch of the Ni-kshay Poshan Yojana in 2018. This information was presented to Parliament on December 9, 2023, by Anupriya Patel, the Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, during a session in the Rajya Sabha.

The Ni-kshay Poshan Yojana, initiated on April 1, 2018, aims to enhance the nutritional support for TB patients during their treatment. Under this program, the government provides a financial aid of ₹1,000 per month—an increase from the previous ₹500—directly transferred to the patients’ bank accounts. This assistance is intended to improve the nutritional status of all notified TB patients.

Community Initiatives and Support Measures

In addition to the nutritional support provided through the Ni-kshay Poshan Yojana, the government has launched the Ni-kshay Mitra Initiative to further assist TB patients. Since its inception in September 2022, the initiative has distributed 45.66 lakh food baskets to approximately 20.3 lakh TB patients. This community-driven program encourages individuals, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and other entities to “adopt” TB patients, offering crucial support that includes nutritional aid, diagnostic assistance, and vocational training.

The Ni-kshay Mitra Initiative is part of the broader Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan, which seeks to eliminate tuberculosis in India by 2025. The initiative aims to reduce the financial burden on patients by supplementing the free treatment provided by the government, ensuring that patients can complete their treatment without incurring significant out-of-pocket expenses.

Strengthening TB Control Efforts

The Indian government is adopting a renewed approach under the TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan to tackle the ongoing challenges posed by tuberculosis. This strategy includes identifying undiagnosed TB cases, reducing mortality rates associated with the disease, and preventing new infections nationwide. Key measures involve screening vulnerable populations, implementing chest X-ray assessments, and conducting Nucleic Acid Amplification Tests (NAAT) for all individuals suspected of having TB.

The government is also focusing on providing differentiated care for high-risk TB cases, along with nutrition support and preventive treatment for household contacts of TB patients. This comprehensive strategy aims to enhance the overall response to TB in India, ensuring better health outcomes for affected individuals and advancing the nation’s goal of eliminating TB by 2025.

The initiatives undertaken by the Indian government reflect a commitment to addressing the public health challenge posed by tuberculosis, emphasizing the importance of nutritional support and community involvement in combating this disease.