Ni-Kshay Poshan Yojana Doubles Nutrition Aid for TB

Why in the news?

The Union Health Ministry has increased the monthly nutrition support for tuberculosis (TB) patients under the Ni-Kshay Poshan Yojana from Rs 500 to Rs 1,000, aiming to improve patient health and aid recovery during treatment through better nutritional support.

Ni-Kshay Poshan Yojana Doubles Nutrition Aid for TB

Ni-Kshay Poshan Yojana: Boosting Nutrition Support for TB Patients

  • Increased Support: The Union Health Ministry has doubled the nutrition support under Ni-Kshay Poshan Yojana from Rs 500 to Rs 1,000 per month for all tuberculosis (TB) patients during treatment.
  • Scheme Overview: Launched in April 2018 under the National Tuberculosis Elimination Program (NTEP), the scheme provides financial incentives for nutritional support to TB patients.
  • Eligibility: All TB patients registered on the NIKSHAY portal are eligible for Rs 1,000 per month through direct benefit transfer (DBT).

Key Facts about Tuberculosis (TB):

  • TB caused6 million deaths globally in 2021, the second deadliest infectious disease after COVID-19.
  • An estimated 6 million people fell ill with TB in 2021.
  • TB is preventable and curable, but drug-resistant TB remains a major crisis.
  • Between 2000-2021, TB diagnosis and treatment saved 74 million lives.
  • Ending the TB epidemic by 2030 is part of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Symptoms and Diagnosis of TB:

  • Symptoms: Persistent cough, chest pain, weakness, weight loss, fever, and night sweats.
  • People with latent TB don’t feel sick and can’t spread the disease.
  • TB diagnosis uses rapid tests, but it’s harder to detect in children.
  • Treatment requires 4-6 months of antibiotics, while drug-resistant TB needs toxic second-line drugs.

Multidrug-Resistant TB (MDR-TB):

  • MDR-TB occurs due to improper drug use and doesn’t respond to first- line drugs.
  • Treatment is expensive and toxic, with limited options.
  • Only 1 in 3 people with MDR-TB accessed treatment in 2021.

Impact and India’s Efforts:

  • TB mainly affects adults during productive years, with a high burden in low-income countries.
  • India has launched the National Strategic Plan  (2017-2025) and Nikshay Poshan Yojana for financial support

Sources Referred:

PIB, The Hindu, Indian Express, Hindustan Times