NUTRITION KIT FOR TUBERCULOSIS (TB) PATIENTS BY NIKSHAYMITRAS
Plan International (India Chapter), also referred to as Plan India, a leading Indian not-for-profit organization supporting NIKSHAYMITRAS under PM TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan, is dedicated to advancing welfare and development for children and equality for all girls and women in India. Through its grassroots social development work, Plan India seeks to create a lasting impact in the lives of poor and vulnerable children, their families, and communities, by gender transformative child-centered community development.
Since 1996, Plan India has improved the lives of millions of children and young people by enabling them to access and benefit from the safety nets and schemes of the government for child protection, quality education, and healthcare services, a healthy environment, livelihood opportunities, and participation in community development.
Context
Tuberculosis (TB) remains a significant global health challenge, with India accounting for a substantial portion of cases. Poverty exacerbates TB transmission and outcomes, as it correlates with factors such as undernutrition, food insecurity, and inadequate living conditions. This creates a cycle where TB worsens nutritional status, further increasing the risk of severe disease and mortality, particularly among undernourished individuals. Addressing both TB and undernutrition is crucial in breaking this vicious cycle and reducing the burden of these diseases in India.
Challenges in India
Tuberculosis (TB) has been the leading global cause of death from a single infectious agent, ranking above HIV/AIDS. Worldwide, 10.0 million people contracted TB in 2019, out of which 2.6 million were estimated to have occurred in India. Despite being a curable disease, every year 1.5 million people die of TB in India.
Today, undernutrition is the leading risk factor for TB, which is particularly substantial in countries with the highest burdens of TB. Undernutrition is the leading risk factor for TB, with a population-attributable fraction (PAF) of 15%, compared to 7.6% for HIV and 3.1% for diabetes.
Plan India’s efforts to eliminate TB
- Plan India in coordination with Central TB Division (CTD) is registered on the Nikshay portal as Nikshay Mitra and has been providing nutritional food kits to TB patients in Delhi, Odisha, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh & Uttarakhand. So far plan India has distributed 13869 food kits benefitting 1724 TB patients.
- Plan International (India Chapter) is supporting National AIDS Control Organization (NACO), Central TB Division (CTD), State AIDS Control Society (SACS), State Drugs Store (SDS), Districts Drugs Store (DDS), TB Unit, ARTC and ICTCs by strengthening supply chain mechanism to deliver the HIV Testing Kits, ARV and TB Drugs under NACP and NTEP effectively, efficiently, and sustainably.
- With the support of the Indian Air Force & in collaboration with the Central TB Division Plan India is providing nutritious food kits at four DOT centers in Delhi from Sept 23 onwards. To date, 3433 food kits have been provided covering 921 patients and the support will continue till April 2024.
- According to the district TB Officer and our observation -with the introduction of nutritious food kits, adherence of identified TB patients to treatment has increased thereby decreasing dropout and increasing the cure rate compared to previous.
Effects of nutritional support on outcomes in patients with TB
- Boosts immune system
- Increases energy
- Builds and maintains muscle
- Helps achieve and maintain a healthy weight
- Makes medications more effective
- Shorten sputum conversion
- Improved adherence to therapy.
- Reduces risk of other chronic diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease and cancer
Project Objective
- To supplement the tuberculosis treatment process of TB Patients from poor socioeconomic backgrounds by providing energy-dense nutrition kits during the treatment phase for 6 months.
- To counsel identified TB patients to complete treatment with reduced dropout.
Women suffering from TB supported with Food Kits
Men suffering from TB supported with Food Kits
Women suffering from TB supported with Food Kits
Program Launch with support of Indian Air Force
Men suffering from TB supported with Food Kits
Un announced visit of Plan India staff for randomly checking the food items & kits at the vendor place
Frequently asked questions
How does Plan make a difference?
Plan’s active support for child development over a long period of time aims to improve the healthy development of children from before birth, through safe delivery, preschool care and development, primary and secondary education, to an adulthood in which they can be valuable and productive members of their community.
Plan works to overcome the barriers that prevent children from breaking out of the poverty cycle. Its advocacy initiatives are aligned to child rights as laid down by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.
By involving children and seeking their views at every stage of program design, implementation and evaluation, Plan ensures that children play an active role in their own growth.
What will Plan do with my Donation?
Plan runs various programs to work with children in difficult circumstances. These programs essentially focus on education, health care, nutrition and protection. Donations received goes towards ensuring that these programs deliver lasting impact in the lives of children, especially girls. In just the last year…
- # 885206 children in the age group of 0-6 yrs, have been reached through early childhood development programs
- # 817621, children and young people have been reached through gender transformative child protection programs
- # 752244 children have accessed quality education
- # 697371 girls and young women have been reached through our programs on sexual reproductive health.
- # 36,652 young people were trained in opportunities that provide employment
- # 1,492,350 people were impacted through our humanitarian response.
How do I ensure that my donation for the NGO is utilized properly?
Plan India is well-acknowledged as credible, accountable and transparent organization. It meets all the statutory compliances set forth by the Government of India. Our donor funded projects undergo rigorous third party evaluations and have always been commended on the quality of work and efficiency of processes. To assure complete transparency, our donors/stakeholders are free to check our accounts and/or visit programs. Accounts and programs are audited regularly and strict guidelines on finances are maintained as per Plan International global standards at all times.
How much of my money goes towards Plan's development projects?
As a not-for-profit organization that is supported by public funds, Plan India deploys over 80% of the money raised towards program objectives and not more than 20% is earmarked towards administration, marketing and communication. These are well within global and national norms.
Does Plan India get funds from any other source than individuals?
In India we have been working on getting funds from corporates and also various funding institutions.
How does Plan identify the programs and areas to work in?
Projects are supported based on Plan’s identified areas of work and priority needs that align with Plan’s vision and mission through thorough need assessment studies.
The projects are identified based on their innovativeness and capacity to change children’s lives through involvement of the community members as well as the children themselves.
Is my donation tax-exempt?
Yes, all contributions to Plan India are eligible for 50% tax exemption under Section 80(G) of the Income Tax Act.
Please Note: All receipts will be sent to the donors by email within 36 days of making the donation. For any enquiries/support, kindly mail us at donor.service@planindia.org or call us at +91-9717999758.