Share
Tuberculosis (TB) is a major public health problem rampant in India. It can affect any age, caste or class but is most commonly found in the poor. Slum dwellers, tribal populations, prisoners and people already sick with compromised immune systems are most susceptible to infection. Almost 40% TB cases are children, but they are currently under-diagnosed in India.
Added to the socio-economic hurdles to treatment is the development of a new strain of drug-resistent TB. If a person has drug-resistant TB, it means that their illness will not respond to the main TB drugs. The incidence of drug-resistant TB is quite high in India. And given that poor people are the most vulnerable to the infection, they need support fighting this disease.
Project Poshan aims to provide nutritional support and counselling to the patients of drug-resistant tuberculosis. Our aim is to supplement at least half their energy requirements and 2/3rd of their protein requirement during first 6-9 months of treatment. This is the 'Intensive Phase' of their treatment.
The nutrition will be provided to families that are struggling to cope up with the medical expenses. In most cases, it’s the earning member who is affected by TB and the family suddenly falls into poverty because of it.
How can you support a patient?
Dry rations cost per month for one individual is only 900 INR. You can pay 900 INR per month or 5,400 INR for 6 months of intensive treatment.
How will my funds be utilized?
Dry ration bag with the following content will be provided to the patient for one month.
Sr No | Item | Quantity (Kgs) |
1 | Wheat flour | 7.5 |
2 | Rice | 2.5 |
3 | Moong Dal | 1 |
4 | Masoor Dal | 1 |
5 | Chana Daal | 1 |
6 | Jaggery | 1 |
7 | Soyabean(Puff) | 1 |
8 | Groundnut | 1 |
Why is nutritional intervention is needed?
The situation is terrible in areas where a large population lives in small cramped slums. These people are at high risk of acquiring tuberculosis infections due to overcrowding and poor ventilation. The chances of the disease progression are spurred by lack of nutrition. Under-nutrition increases the risk of TB and in turn TB can lead to malnutrition. Under nutrition therefore is highly prevalent among people with tuberculosis.The need for nutritional supplements among patients with tuberculosis is emphasized not only in research studies but also by RNTCP. In the year 2015, a national-level workshop was organized by Central TB Division, emphasizing the role of nutritional supplements in tuberculosis treatment outcome.
Your support will help us reach the patients and provide immediate help.
