CSIR-IHBT Launches Nutritional Support Program for Tuberculosis Patients in Himachal Pradesh

Strengthening TB Management through Nutrition

UNA
The CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology (CSIR-IHBT) in Palampur has made a notable advancement in combating Tuberculosis (TB) in India by incorporating science-driven nutritional strategies into national health initiatives. This effort aligns with the National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP) and POSHAN Abhiyaan, leading to the creation of fortified food products aimed at enhancing recovery, improving treatment results, and boosting patient resilience.

A Special Nutrition Supplementation Programme was inaugurated at the Civil Hospital in Una, in partnership with the District TB Centre and the Department of Health. The event was officiated by Dr. Sudesh Kumar Yadav, Director of CSIR-IHBT, alongside Dr. Sanjeev Kumar Verma, Chief Medical Officer of Una. During this launch, nutritional kits containing protein- and micronutrient-fortified foods developed by CSIR-IHBT were distributed to individuals suffering from TB.

This initiative will provide ongoing supplementation of IHBT's technology-based products to TB patients through collaborations with technology partners and the Krishna Sachkhand Foundation in Una. Dr. Yadav highlighted the essential role of supplemental nutrition in managing TB and noted that CSIR-IHBT's fortified foods are already part of POSHAN Abhiyaan through flagship programs like Mission Bharpoor (Kangra), Mission Jeevan Uphaar (Chamba), and Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (Kangra).

The fortified products from CSIR-IHBT offer standardized nutrition, with a serving size of 40–50 grams providing 20–25% of the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for proteins and essential micronutrients such as iron and calcium, along with at least 15% RDA of dietary fiber. These products have undergone scientific validation through pre-clinical and human intervention studies, demonstrating their effectiveness in alleviating malnutrition-related inflammation and aiding recovery from iron deficiency anemia and protein malnutrition.

Dr. Verma mentioned that these fortified foods will complement the Nikshay Mitra Take Home Ration Kits to tackle nutritional deficiencies associated with TB. The program coordinators, Dr. Vishal Thakur, District TB Officer of Una, and Dr. Vidyashankar Srivatsan, Principal Scientist at CSIR-IHBT, expressed that the initiative aims to fill significant nutritional gaps and promote quicker recovery for TB patients.