In an ambitious move by India’s Central TB Division under the National Health Mission (NHM), a nutritional incentive programme has been introduced. This initiative, titled Nikshay Poshan Yojana, is tailored for Tuberculosis (TB) patients under treatment, aiming to bolster their recovery journey through nutritional aid. A notable feature is that the scheme is applicable to all TB patients notified on the NIKSHAY portal, post 1st April 2018, including those currently under treatment.
Embracing Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) for Aid Distribution
This patient-centric initiative seamlessly integrates modern technology with welfare schemes through Direct Benefit Transfer. Patients can receive their incentives either in cash or in-kind, ideally through Aadhaar-enabled bank accounts. Such an approach ensures that the aid reaches the right beneficiaries without the convoluted bureaucracy often associated with traditional systems.
Exploring the Scope of the Benefits
The scheme offers a financial incentive of ₹500 per month for each notified TB patient, as long as they continue their anti-TB treatment. In case the states prefer to provide the benefits in-kind, they ensure that the food basket distributed equals or exceeds the value of ₹500 per month. This discretionary power of the states provides a level of flexibility in determining the most effective means of support delivery.
Eligibility and Registration Process
Eligibility for the scheme is straightforward: the applicant must be a TB patient and registered or notified on the NIKSHAY portal. Patients can get registered by visiting the nearest healthcare facility and accessing the NIKSHAY portal. Required documents for the process include the bank details of the patient or their parent/guardian, along with the Aadhaar number.
With the Nikshay Poshan Yojana, the fight against TB takes a novel approach, combining medical treatment with nutritional support to ensure a comprehensive recovery. This thoughtful scheme places patients’ well-being at the forefront, creating an environment conducive to their overall health improvement.
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