For thousands of tuberculosis patients in Uttar Pradesh, a crucial lifeline for recovery has snapped. The central government's Nikshay Poshan Yojana, designed to provide monthly nutritional support, has failed to disburse funds for several months, leaving vulnerable patients and their families in a state of hunger and anxiety during a critical phase of treatment.
Stories of Struggle and Deprivation
The scheme's promise of Rs 1,000 per month—recently increased from Rs 500—has remained only on paper for many since August. Take the case of 13-year-old Akshay Shukla (name changed), undergoing TB treatment at Lucknow's King George's Medical University (KGMU). As the son of a daily wage worker, the halted support has drastically altered his diet. "I used to drink milk and eat fruits earlier. Since August, not a single rupee came. My family had to stop buying milk, and on some days, we survived only on roti and sabji," he shared.
His story is not isolated. Shabnam (name changed), a 28-year-old patient from Barabanki, revealed her family was forced to borrow money to ensure she ate properly. "Doctors tell us nutrition is very important, but without this money, how will we manage? Medicines are free, but food is not," she said. Health workers report that such complaints are now common at Directly Observed Treatment (DOT) centres and district TB offices across the state.
A State-Wide Crisis Impacting Recovery
The scale of the problem is vast. Officials estimate that around 6.9 lakh TB patients were identified in UP this year, all of whom are eligible for the nutrition support. The prolonged delay is causing severe consequences beyond empty stomachs.
Medical experts warn that this interruption directly threatens treatment outcomes. Dr. Ajay Verma, head of the respiratory department at Ram Manohar Lohia Institute of Medical Sciences (RMLIMS), explained that TB patients already suffer from weight loss and weakened immunity. "TB treatment is long and demanding. If nutrition support stops, patients lose weight faster, feel weak, and sometimes even stop treatment midway. Nutrition is as important as medicines," he emphasized.
Another senior TB expert from a government medical college stated that such delays defeat the very purpose of the welfare scheme. "The idea behind Nikshay Poshan yojana was to remove economic barriers to recovery. When payments stop for months, patients feel neglected and demoralised," he noted. A public health expert highlighted the stark reality: "For patients at the margins, even Rs 1,000 decides whether they consume protein or not. Delays of 4-5 months can undo months of medical effort."
Official Response and the Road Ahead
When questioned about the crisis, State TB control officer Dr. Shailendra Bhatnagar clarified that the delay is not due to a shortage of funds but a change in the payment mechanism. While this provides an administrative reason, it offers little solace to patients currently struggling to afford a nutritious meal.
The situation underscores a critical gap in India's fight against tuberculosis. While providing free medication is a cornerstone of the program, the success of treatment is heavily dependent on the patient's overall health and nutritional status. The continued stalling of the Nikshay Poshan benefits risks reversing hard-won gains in TB control, pushing impoverished families deeper into debt and despair, and potentially leading to treatment abandonment and drug resistance.
