The Tamil Nadu government has introduced a monthly Nutritional Allowance of Rs. 500 for tuberculosis patients within the state. This initiative is a component of the National Strategic Plan aimed at eradicating TB by the fiscal year 2030. Every patient undergoing treatment will receive Rs. 500 each month, regardless of their financial status. This guide provides comprehensive information regarding the Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme in Tamil Nadu and details about the state's Nutritional Allowance Scheme.
Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme in Tamil Nadu
The government of Tamil Nadu continues to implement the Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP). Launched in 1997 and adopted by Tamil Nadu in 2002, the RNTCP serves a population of 79 million, operating through 35 district centers and 461 specialized TB units.
RNTCP Nutritional Support via DBT under Nikshay Poshan Yojana
As of April 2018, Tamil Nadu became the first state to provide nutritional aid via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) through the Nikshay Poshan Yojana. This program supports TB diagnosis and care across both public and private health sectors. Drug-sensitive cases are treated with Fixed Drug Combinations using the Directly Observed Treatment (DOT) method. All registered patients are tracked via the Nikshay web portal, which recorded 104,055 notifications in 2018.
Nikshay Aushadhi for Drug Logistics Oversight
The Nikshay Aushadhi platform is utilized to oversee and manage drug supplies. The state ensures private sector involvement, with over 22,960 private facilities currently registered. Healthcare infrastructure includes 1,984 Microscopy Centres and two regional reference laboratories. Furthermore, active case detection has been performed statewide using dedicated CBNAAT mobile units.
Management of Drug-Resistant TB Services
Since 2009, the state has operated a program for managing drug-resistant TB, focusing on early identification and targeted treatment regimens. Care is provided through 7 Nodal and 24 District Drug-Resistant TB centers. Advanced diagnostic capabilities include liquid culture and C&DST laboratories.
Tamil Nadu was the first state to introduce modern medications like Bedaquiline for adults and Delamanid for pediatric patients to treat drug-resistant cases. Currently, 276 patients are receiving Bedaquiline therapy. All suspected TB cases undergo HIV screening, and those co-infected receive integrated treatment and referrals to ART centers. In 2018, 3,047 such cases were reported. Additionally, children aged 6 months to 6 years in contact with TB patients receive Isoniazid preventive treatment to lower infection risks.
Rs 500 Monthly Assistance for TB Patients in Tamil Nadu
The government provides a monthly stipend of Rs. 500 to all TB patients, regardless of whether they seek treatment in public or private facilities. To improve case notification, the "Joint Effort for Elimination of TB" project