Current Context : The Union Health Ministry has doubled the monthly nutrition support under Ni-Kshay Poshan Yojana from the existing Rs 500 to Rs 1,000 per month for all TB patients, during treatment.

CHANGES IN NI-KSHAY POSHAN YOJANA (NPY)

Increased Nutritional Support:

• Monthly financial support for TB patients has been doubled from ₹500 to ₹1,000 for the entire treatment duration.

Special Allocation:

• An additional budget of ₹1,040 crore has been allocated by the government to support the increased assistance.

Energy Dense Nutritional Supplementation (EDNS):

• EDNS introduced for underweight TB patients (BMI <18.5 kg/m²), covering about 12 lakh patients for the initial two months of treatment.

Expansion to Household Contacts:

• Under the Ni-Kshay Mitra initiative, household contacts of TB patients will also receive food baskets to boost immunity and reduce out-of-pocket costs.

Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT):

• Nutritional support is provided through DBT, ensuring that funds reach the beneficiaries directly into their bank accounts.

About Ni-Kshay Portal:

• Managed by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, it tracks and monitors TB treatment, improving data collection and intervention.
• Aim : to achieve a TB-Free India by 2025, by providing comprehensive support for patient care and recovery.