Tuberculosis (TB) continues to pose a significant public health challenge in the country, with an alarming estimate of approximately thirty lakhs new patients diagnosed each year and around 3 lakh fatalities attributed to the disease annually. In response to this pressing issue, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has recently announced a strategic enhancement of the Nikshay Poshan Yojana (NPY). Specifically, the direct benefit transfer allocated to patients has been doubled from ₹500 to ₹1,000 per month throughout the entirety of their treatment. Furthermore, a one-time disbursement of ₹3,000 will be provided at the point of diagnosis. This initiative reflects a well-considered approach towards improving the overall treatment experience for TB patients.

Additionally, there is a proposed plan to supply energy-dense nutritional supplements to underweight individuals diagnosed with TB for a period of two months. This is particularly important, as malnutrition significantly compromises the immune system, making patients more susceptible to severe outcomes from the disease. The framework also aims to extend nutritional and social support not only to the patients but also to their families, recognizing the substantial burden that TB can impose on households.

India stands out as the only high-burden TB country undertaking such an extensive program, which seeks to tackle the intertwined issues of nutritional deficits and the economic hardships faced by patients. TB is not merely a medical condition; it is deeply influenced by social determinants of health. Factors associated with poverty—such as overcrowding, substandard living conditions, and undernutrition—greatly increase the susceptibility to TB. Other prevalent risk factors like diabetes, smoking, and alcohol consumption tend to be more common in impoverished populations and are often inadequately managed due to lack of resources and access to healthcare.

Research indicates that undernutrition is a significant contributor to TB, accounting for more than a third to nearly half of all new cases in the country. The interplay of limited access to primary healthcare, inadequate quality of care, and poor treatment adherence creates a vicious cycle that exacerbates disease severity and elevates the risk of mortality among economically disadvantaged individuals.

The situation is dire for these patients, who not only grapple with the physical toll of TB but also endure substantial income losses and incur direct and indirect costs related to the illness and its treatment. Moreover, many face food insecurity, which compounds their health challenges, and often struggle to return to their normal work routines due to the lingering effects of the disease. Addressing these multifaceted issues necessitates a comprehensive approach that integrates medical treatment with social support systems to ensure better health outcomes for TB patients in the country.