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Picture Courtesy: https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/health-ministry-enhances-monthly-support-for-tb-patients/
Context:
The Union Health Ministry has increased the monthly nutrition support for TB patients under the Ni-Kshay Poshan Yojana.
Key Highlights of the Announcements made by the Ministry of Health
- The monthly nutrition support for TB patients under the Ni-Kshay Poshan Yojana has been doubled from Rs 500 to Rs 1,000 to ensure that TB patients receive adequate nutrition during their treatment.
- The Union Minister announced that Rs 1,040 crore has been allocated to the Ni-Kshay Poshan Yojana to provide better nutritional support to TB patients across the country.
- The scope of the Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan expanded to include household contacts of TB patients. Now the family members living with TB patients will also receive social support from the community to improve the overall health and immunity of the family members, reducing the risk of them contracting TB.
- Ni-Kshay Mitras are volunteers or organizations that adopt TB patients and their families to provide additional support. They will now also adopt household contacts of TB patients and distribute food baskets to them to reduce the out-of-pocket expenses for TB patients and their families.
- The ministry has introduced Energy Dense Nutritional Supplementation for underweight TB patients; patients whose body mass index (BMI) is less than 18.5 kg/m² at the time of diagnosis, about 12 lakh underweight patients will receive this special nutritional support for the first two months of their treatment.
- All TB patients will now receive nutritional support ranging from Rs 3,000 to Rs 6,000 under the Ni-Kshay Poshan Yojana. This support is essential for ensuring that TB patients get the necessary nutrients to aid their recovery and improve their overall health.
About Ni-Kshay Poshan Yojana
- Ni-Kshay Poshan Yojana was launched by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in April 2018 to provide nutritional support to tuberculosis (TB) patients to help them recover more effectively.
- TB patients must be registered on the Ni-Kshay portal to receive benefits. This portal helps in tracking and managing TB patients’ treatment, improving data collection, and facilitating targeted intervention.
- The financial incentive is preferably provided through Aadhaar-enabled bank accounts to ensure that the funds reach the intended beneficiaries directly.
About Tuberculosis (TB)
- It is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It mainly affects the lungs but can also impact other parts of the body, such as the kidneys, spine, and brain.
- TB spreads through the air when a person with active TB of the lungs or throat coughs, sneezes, or talks. People nearby can inhale these bacteria and become infected.
- India aims to eliminate TB by 2025, which is five years earlier than the global target set by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The NiKshay Poshan Yojana is a big part of this effort.
Must Read Articles:
More on Nikshay:https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/tuberculosis
TUBERCULOSIS
PRADHAN MANTRI TB MUKT BHARAT ABHIYAAN
Source:
TRIBUNEINDIA
Wikipedia
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PRACTICE QUESTION
Q.Consider the following statements.
1. BCG vaccination is given to newborns to protect against TB.
2. The BCG vaccine provides lifelong immunity to TB.
3. The Nikshay Poshan Yojana provides financial assistance for nutrition to all TB patients.
How many of the above statements are correct?
A) Only one
B) Only two
C) All three
D) None
Answer: B
Explanation:
Statement 1 is correct:
The Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine is commonly given to newborns in countries with high TB prevalence, including India, to protect against tuberculosis.
Statement 2 is incorrect:
The BCG vaccine does not provide lifelong immunity. Its effectiveness can vary, and it is more effective in preventing severe forms of TB in children rather than pulmonary TB in adults.
Statement 3 is correct:
The Nikshay Poshan Yojana is a scheme by the Indian government that provides financial assistance for nutrition to all TB patients. Each patient receives Rs 1000 per month to help with their nutritional needs.
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