Ludhiana, Feb 23: A surge in tuberculosis detections in Ludhiana has coincided with a critical lapse in government nutrition funding, leaving over 13,000 patients to seek alternative support. Data for 2025 shows 13,235 fresh cases in the district, rising from 12,000 in 2024, even as the Nikshay Poshan Yojana remains unfunded for the current financial year.
Under the existing guidelines, TB patients are entitled to Rs 1,000 per month to supplement their diet, a crucial component of the intensive treatment regimen. However, no payments have reached patient accounts since the end of the last fiscal year in March.
District TB Officer Dr. Ashish Chawla declared that the department is actively engaging with non-governmental organizations to bridge this gap. He affirmed that these groups are now providing kits containing eggs, pulses, and fruit to ensure patients do not abandon their treatment due to physical exhaustion.
“The scheme is jointly run with a 60:40 Centre-state split. As funds have not been released, we are taking help from NGOs,” Dr. Chawla stated, noting that the rise in numbers is actually a sign of better outreach. He asserted that new handheld technology has allowed for rapid testing in industrial areas.
Patients have expressed growing frustration over the missing stipends. One patient noted that she previously relied on the government funds to purchase milk and eggs but has seen no credits to her bank account for months. She stated that hospital staff remain uncertain about when the state and central contributions will be reconciled.
Civil Surgeon Ramandeep Kaur affirmed the importance of clinical treatment over superstitious practices. She maintained that relying on “threads or charms” prevents timely recovery and endangers family members through prolonged exposure.
“Treatment is free at government facilities. Hence, we urge patients to seek medical care without delay,” Kaur declared. As the administrative deadlock persists, the reliance on high-protein kits from private donors remains the primary safety net for Ludhiana’s TB survivors.
