As part of its efforts to eradicate Tuberculosis [TB] from the state by 2025, the Uttar Pradesh government spent a sum of Rs 2.78 lakh to provide nutrition to the patients between January 1 to September 17, this year.

In the press statement dated September 24, Zia Hashim, Head of Pulmonary Department of the Lucknow-based Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, was quoted as saying that nutrition is very important for TB patients because they are already weak because of the disease. 

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“In addition to medication, individuals afflicted with TB are receiving nutritious meals, community support, and encouragement. These crucial factors have contributed to their recovery from tuberculosis, and as a result, they are supporting the Yogi government’s initiative as TB champions,” Hashim was quoted. 

Preeti Yadav, Dietician at SGPGI, was also quoted as saying that TB patients not only have to cope with their disease, but also have to overcome the hurdle of malnutrition. Therefore, along with medicines, a nutritious diet is very important. People suffering from malnutrition are more likely to get TB.

The statement also included case studies of TB patients whose health improved after receiving nutritional assistance. It mentioned that a total of 416,000 patients are suffering from Tuberculosis in the state.

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“Anno (40) from Wazirganj [Lucknow], was severely malnourished creating a conducive environment for TB bacteria to take residence within her body which she did not even realize. Once diagnosed, her treatment was started, but her weak body proved incapable of bearing the heat of the medicine. Anno took advantage of ‘Nikshay Nutrition Scheme’, due to which she became completely free from TB,” a case study mentioned. 

In April 2018, the Union government introduced the Nikshay Nutrition Scheme through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) as monthly financial assistance towards nutrition for TB patients.

“In a trial conducted on more than 10,000 family members, nutritional support resulted in a remarkable reduction of all types of TB by 40% and infectious TB by about 50% in the family members of patients with pulmonary TB,” the press statement mentioned.