These initiatives are in line with India’s commitment to accelerate achievement of Sustainable Development Goals related to TB elimination.
Key Initiatives announced by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
- Increase in Nutrition support under Ni-Kshay Poshan Yojana from Rs. 500 to Rs. 1,000 per month per patient for entire duration of treatment.
- Introduction of Energy Dense Nutrition Supplementation (EDNS) for patients with Body Mass Index (ratio of height to weight to estimate amount of body fat) less than 18.5kg/m2 (represent underweight individuals).
- EDNS would be provided to all eligible patients for first two months of their treatment.
- EDNS share will be distributed between centre and states on 60:40 basis.
- Expanding scope of Ni-Kshay Mitra initiative under Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (PMTBMBA) to include family members (household contacts) of TB patients improving their immunity and reducing out-of-pocket expenses.
About Tuberculosis (TB)
- An infectious bacterial disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which is transmitted by aerosols and most commonly affects lungs.
- Bacillle Calmette-Guerin vaccine provides immunity against TB.
- Most common antibiotics used for treatment: Isoniazid, Rifampin, Pyrazinamide, Streptomycin.
Challenges faced in Treatment:
Social Stigma and taboo, comorbidities (with HIV, diabetes), high dropout rates while treatment, drug resistance etc.
Other Initiatives to tackle Tuberculosis
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