AI SummaryTamil Nadu govt. gives Rs. 500 per month as nutritional allowance to TB patients in the state. This support is part of the National TB Elimination Program (NTEP) and the National Strategic Plan for TB elimination till FY 2030. All notified TB patients get Rs. 500 per month during their treatment, regardless of their income level. This article explains the complete details of the Tamil Nadu Nutritional Allowance Scheme for TB patients, including benefits, eligibility and how the payment reaches patients.
TB is a disease linked to under-nutrition, and it often leads to loss of appetite. This creates a cycle where poor nutrition makes recovery harder. To break this cycle, the state govt. provides direct cash support so patients can buy nutritious food during treatment. The amount is sent straight to the patient's bank account through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
Tamil Nadu Nutritional Allowance Scheme for TB Patients
Tamil Nadu was the first state in the country to start nutritional support through DBT under Nikshay Poshan Yojana, from April 2018. The scheme now runs as part of the National TB Elimination Program (NTEP), which replaced the older Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP). The state has a well-structured network of 461 TB units, 1,951 Designated Microscopy Centres, and more than 450 NAAT labs across Tamil Nadu.
Under this scheme, every notified TB patient gets Rs. 500 per month throughout the treatment period. The amount is paid in installments directly into the patient's bank account. Patients who are notified in the system and whose treatment has started are eligible for this support. There is no income limit and no age limit to get this benefit.
The state govt. has also launched a differentiated TB care model called Tamil Nadu Kasanoi Erapilla Thittam. This model screens patients for severe illness at the time of diagnosis and provides proper inpatient care where needed. The goal is to reduce TB deaths and improve treatment results across the state.
Key Details of TN Nutritional Allowance Scheme
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Tamil Nadu Nutritional Allowance Scheme (Nikshay Poshan Yojana) |
| Launched By | Tamil Nadu govt. under National TB Elimination Program |
| Beneficiaries | All notified TB patients in the state |
| Benefit Amount | Rs. 500 per month during treatment |
| Payment Mode | Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to bank account |
| Eligibility | No income limit, no age limit |
| Official Website | nhm.tn.gov.in |
How Patients Get the Nutritional Allowance
Patients get the Rs. 500 monthly support in installments during their treatment, which usually lasts about 6 months or more. The first installment is paid when the TB case is notified in the system. The second installment comes after 2 months of treatment, and the third installment is paid at the end of the treatment. If the treatment lasts longer than 6 months, patients get more installments.
All TB patients who are notified and registered on the Nikshay portal are eligible for this support. The money is sent directly to the patient's bank account, so there is no middleman involved. This makes the process clear and easy for patients.
TB Situation in Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu has shown steady progress in TB control. As of the second quarter of 2024, the total TB case notification rate stands at 124 per 100,000 people, with a treatment success rate of 85%. TB notifications from the private sector have also gone up from 44% in 2017 to 89% in the second quarter of 2024, thanks to better joint work with private healthcare providers.
The state has also put in place Universal Drug Sensitivity Testing, which makes sure that 94% of notified patients are tested for drug resistance. This helps doctors give the right treatment and stop the spread of drug-resistant TB. The state has also introduced new TB drugs like Bedaquiline for adult patients and Delamanid for pediatric patients.
Important Facts About the Scheme
Some important facts about the Tamil Nadu TB nutritional allowance scheme are given below.
- All TB patients get Rs. 500 per month for nutritional support, as malnutrition is a major cause of this bacterial disease.
- There is no age limit and no income criteria to become eligible for this scheme.
- Patients get the amount in installments during their treatment, paid through DBT directly into their bank accounts.
- The support is only for patients who have been notified in the system and whose treatment has started.
- If the treatment lasts more than 6 months, patients get more installments.
In India, around 28 lakh cases of TB are seen every year, which is about one fourth of the total cases in the world. Out of these, around 17 lakh cases get notified. The Tamil Nadu govt. also gives Rs. 1,000 as pension to all farmer card holders living with TB or HIV / AIDS.
Source / Reference Link: National Health Mission Tamil Nadu - NTEP
good step taken by govt
Encourage and create more awareness about TB up to low class people.