The Union Health Ministry has made a significant enhancement to the nutritional support provided to tuberculosis (TB) patients under the Ni-Kshay Poshan Yojana. The monthly financial assistance has been doubled from Rs 500 to Rs 1,000. This initiative aims to provide comprehensive nutritional support during the treatment period for TB patients.
Funding Approval
Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, JP Nadda, announced the approval of an allocation of Rs 1,040 crore for the Ni-Kshay Poshan Yojana. This funding will specifically provide nutritional support for all TB patients across the country.
Inclusion of Household Contacts
In a significant development, all household contacts of TB patients will now be included under the Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan. This will enable them to receive social support from the community. To date, Rs 3,202 crore has been disbursed to 1.13 crore beneficiaries through Direct Benefit Transfer under the Ni-Kshay Poshan Yojana.
Expansion of Nutritional Support
The Union Health Ministry has approved an expansion of the nutritional support scope to include the household contacts of TB patients. This includes:
- Ni-kshay Mitras: Volunteers who will adopt the household contacts of TB patients and distribute food baskets aimed at improving the immunity of family members.
- Reduction in Out-of-Pocket Expenses: The initiative seeks to significantly lower the financial burden on TB patients and their families.
Introduction of Energy Dense Nutritional Supplementation
To address undernutrition, the ministry has introduced Energy Dense Nutritional Supplementation for approximately 12 lakh underweight patients with a body mass index (BMI) of less than 18.5 kg/m² at the time of diagnosis. Key points include:
- Eligible patients will receive nutritional support for the first two months of treatment.
- TB patients will now benefit from a total nutritional support of Rs 3,000 to Rs 6,000 under the Ni-Kshay Poshan Yojana.
Conclusion
These measures represent a significant step forward in supporting TB patients and their families, ensuring better health outcomes through improved nutritional support and community engagement.
Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs):
- What is the new monthly nutritional support amount for TB patients under the Ni-Kshay Poshan Yojana?
- A) Rs 500
- B) Rs 1,000
- C) Rs 3,000
- D) Rs 6,000
Answer: B) Rs 1,000
- How much has been allocated for the Ni-Kshay Poshan Yojana for nutritional support?
- A) Rs 500 crore
- B) Rs 1,040 crore
- C) Rs 3,202 crore
- D) Rs 6,000 crore
Answer: B) Rs 1,040 crore
- Which initiative will cover all household contacts of TB patients?
- A) Ni-Kshay Mitras
- B) Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan
- C) National Health Mission
- D) Ayushman Bharat
Answer: B) Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan
- How many beneficiaries have received support through Direct Benefit Transfer under the Ni-Kshay Poshan Yojana to date?
- A) 500 crore
- B) 1.13 crore
- C) 12 lakh
- D) 3,202 crore
Answer: B) 1.13 crore
- What is the BMI threshold for patients to qualify for Energy Dense Nutritional Supplementation?
- A) Less than 16 kg/m²
- B) Less than 18.5 kg/m²
- C) Less than 20 kg/m²
- D) Less than 22 kg/m²
Answer: B) Less than 18.5 kg/m²