To eliminate a disease is a mission—one that has been achieved for only a few diseases so far. It requires sound policy, a committed team, a clear vision, and unwavering determination.

Tuberculosis (TB) is one such disease that the Government of India has committed to eliminate. The National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP) provides the roadmap, while the TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan has further accelerated these efforts. Under this campaign, extensive screening of high-risk populations and their close contacts is being undertaken to detect more TB cases early and ensure timely treatment for both patients and their contacts.

The medical aspects of TB management are well defined and provided free of cost, including diagnostics and treatment. However, several additional initiatives have significantly strengthened the campaign. Most TB patients belong to lower socioeconomic groups and often suffer from weight loss and weakness. Good nutrition improves immunity, supports faster recovery, enhances treatment adherence, and reduces the risk of treatment interruption. Under the Nikshay Poshan Yojana (NPY), every patient with TB receives ₹1,000 per month through Direct Benefit Transfer for nutritional support. While this assistance is valuable, it may not always be sufficient. To bridge this gap, another initiative was launched to meet the nutritional needs of TB patients and their families.

The........

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