Science: Evasive nutritional support for TB patients
CURRENT AFFIARS FOR 17TH SEPTEMBER,2023
Science: Evasive nutritional support for TB patients
Under-nutrition is the leading factor for TB disease.
A 2022 study noted that 45% of people in India are undernourished, accounting for nearly 1.2 million TB cases each year.
Nutrition support became a part of the national TB programme only in 2018 when Nikshay Poshan Yojana–a direct benefit transfer scheme for nutritional support to TB patients–was launched.
Under this programme, ₹500 per person is credited into the account of a person with TB for the duration of the treatment.
In 2022, India launched another programme called Nikshay Mitra to consented TB patients. In the same year, Tamil Nadu became the first and only state to launch the Differentiated TB Care Programme to reduce the mortality rate among TB patients.
However, all the three programmes mentioned above provide nutrition support only to patients to reduce mortality and not to the family members. The nutrition status of TB patients is largely a reflection of the family's nutrition levels. So, the family could also be at high risk of contracting TB.
World Tuberculosis day is observed on 24th March.
India aims to make the nation TB-free by 2025, whereas the Global Target for TB elimination is 2030.
Theme for 2023: Yes! We can end TB!
Tuberculosis is an infection caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
It can affect any organ of the body, but it mostly affects the lungs, pleura, lymph nodes, intestine and the brain.
It can spread through close contact with an infected person through air.