TNR News Network
UNA
The CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology (CSIR-IHBT), Palampur, has taken a significant step in strengthening India’s fight against Tuberculosis (TB) by integrating science-based nutritional interventions with national health priorities. In alignment with the National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP) and POSHAN Abhiyaan, CSIR-IHBT has developed fortified food products designed to aid recovery, improve treatment outcomes, and enhance patient resilience.
A Special Nutrition Supplementation Programme was launched at Civil Hospital, Una, in collaboration with the District TB Centre and Department of Health, Una. The programme was formally inaugurated by Dr. Sudesh Kumar Yadav, Director, CSIR-IHBT, and Dr. Sanjeev Kumar Verma, Chief Medical Officer, Una. During the launch, nutritional kits comprising protein- and micronutrient-fortified foods developed by CSIR-IHBT were distributed to TB patients.
The initiative will ensure continuous supplementation of IHBT technology-based products to TB patients through IHBT’s technology partners, in collaboration with the Krishna Sachkhand Foundation, Una. Addressing the gathering, Dr. Yadav emphasized the critical role of supplemental nutrition in TB management and highlighted that CSIR-IHBT fortified foods are already integrated under POSHAN Abhiyaan through flagship initiatives such as Mission Bharpoor (Kangra), Mission Jeevan Uphaar (Chamba), and Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (Kangra).
CSIR-IHBT fortified products provide standardized nutrition, with a 40–50 g serving delivering 20–25% of the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) of proteins and key micronutrients such as iron and calcium, along with at least 15% RDA of dietary fibre. These products have been scientifically validated through pre-clinical and human intervention studies, showing benefits in reducing malnutrition-induced inflammation and supporting recovery from iron deficiency anemia and protein malnutrition.
Dr. Verma informed that the fortified foods will be supplemented alongside Nikshay Mitra Take Home Ration Kits to address TB-associated nutritional deficiencies. Coordinators of the programme, Dr. Vishal Thakur, District TB Officer, Una, and Dr. Vidyashankar Srivatsan, Principal Scientist, CSIR-IHBT, stated that the initiative aims to bridge critical nutritional gaps and facilitate faster recovery among TB patients.
