Pune to distribute food baskets to TB patients

The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) will start distributing food baskets to tuberculosis (TB) patients on March 24, which is World TB Day. This initiative aims to provide nutritional support to those affected by the disease. The PMC has allocated ₹1 crore for this program. A recent study published in the Lancet Global Health suggests that providing food baskets and supplements to 80% of adults in TB-affected households could prevent at least half a million deaths between 2023 and 2035. Currently, Pune has about 5,000 active TB patients. Since 2022, the PMC has supplied food baskets to 7,500 patients, thanks to funding from NGOs and corporate social responsibility programs. Dr. Prashant Bothe, the city's TB officer, mentioned that high-risk household contacts may also receive preventive TB medications. Each food basket contains essential items, including rice, lentils, milk powder, roasted chickpea flour, cooking oil, and multivitamins. Additionally, TB patients benefit from the Nikshay Poshan Yojana, which provides them with ₹1,000 monthly during their treatment. This amount was increased from ₹500 in November 2024. So far this year, over 5,200 patients have received this benefit directly in their bank accounts.