Union Health Minister JP Nadda has announced several key initiatives aimed at enhancing nutrition support for TB patients and their household contacts.

Underscoring India’s resolute commitment to eradicate TB, Mr Nadda informed that the monthly nutrition support under Ni-kshay Poshan Yojana has been doubled from the existing 500 rupees to 1000 rupees for all TB patients during the period of treatment. He said that the government has also decided to introduce energy-dense nutrition supplementation for all patients with BMI less than 18.5.

Mr. Nadda added that the government also decided to permit expansion of scope and coverage of Ni-Kshay Mitra initiative under Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (PMTBMBA) including the family members of TB patients.

Mr Nadda noted that all TB patients will now receive nutritional support of 3,000 rupees to 6,000 rupees under Ni-Kshay Poshan Yojana (NPY). He further highlighted that the enhancement of NPY support will benefit all 25 lakh TB patients annually and the introduction of Energy Dense Nutritional Supplementation (EDNS) would cover approximately 12 lakh underweight patients.

EDNS will be provided to all eligible patients for the first two months of their treatment. This initiative will cost the government an additional 1,040 crores rupees, which will be shared between the central and state governments on a 60:40 basis.

The Health Minister said in addition to supporting TB patients, Ni-kshay Mitras will now provide food baskets to the household contacts of TB patients to improve their immunity. This initiative is expected to significantly reduce out-of-pocket expenses incurred by TB patients and their families. He further highlighted that to date, 3,202 crore rupees have been disbursed to 1.13 crore beneficiaries through Direct Benefit Transfer under the Ni-kshay Poshan Yojana.