Increased Nikshay Poshan Yojana Support Welcomed, But More Needed

New Delhi, October 8th, 2024 – Survivors Against TB (SATB) welcomes the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare’s announcement increasing the monthly benefit under the Nikshay Poshan Yojana from INR 500 to INR 1000 for tuberculosis (TB)-affected individuals. This long-overdue increase is a positive step toward addressing the nutritional needs of TB-affected people, many of whom struggle with financial and nutrition challenges during treatment.

SATB has long advocated for greater financial support under this program, and the government’s growing recognition of nutrition’s essential role in TB care is a welcome step.While SATB applauds this decision, we believe the ideal monthly support should be at least INR 2000. This amount would more comprehensively cover the nutritional requirements of TB-affected individuals, helping them withstand lengthy and challenging treatment regimens.

“This move by the government is a step in the right direction. It shows that our voices are being heard. But fixing the disbursement system would make a big difference for us”, says Diptendu Bhattacharya, MDR TB Survivor, Educator and SATB Fellow.

We at SATB believe that it is equally important to address the disbursement mechanism of the scheme. As survivors have reported, delays and inefficiencies in transferring funds remain  and streamlining these processes should be the next priority.

“I am very happy to note the recent increase in nutritional support for individuals affected by TB and their families. It’s a significant step forward in our fight against TB as we are acknowledging the critical role that nutrition plays both in the susceptibility to and in the recovery and overall health of TB affected individuals. This enhanced support will not only improve patient outcomes but also empower individuals to manage their health more effectively and prevent further impoverishment,” remarks Dr. Soumya Swaminathan, Chairperson MSSRF, and former Chief Scientist at WHO.

SATB remains committed to working alongside the government and other stakeholders to further strengthen TB care and ensure that every person affected by TB has access to the nutrition and timely support they need to recover fully.