September is celebrated as Poshan Maah, a month dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of nutrition for a healthier India. While much of the conversation focuses on combating childhood anaemia, malnutrition, and maternal health, it is equally important to recognise the role that nutrition plays in tackling infectious diseases like tuberculosis (TB). When we talk about TB, the spotlight often falls on medicines, diagnosis, and public health programmes.

Yet one factor that silently fuels this disease, and determines who is most at risk, is nutrition. A well-nourished body, with stronger immunity, can fight off TB infection and recover faster. On the other hand, undernutrition makes people far more vulnerable — not just to getting infected, but also to dying from the disease.

India, unfortunately, continues to bear the brunt. TB remains our leading infectious disease killer, according to the latest SRS report. Most TB deaths in India happen shockingly early – within the first two months of diagnosis, and half of them within the first two........

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