Patiala, Jan. 24 -- Punjab has emerged as one of the worst-performing states in the country in terms of providing 'poshan baskets (food items)' to registered tuberculosis (TB) patients. Only 16% of the registered TB patients across the state have been able to receive nutritional support, official data under the Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan revealed.

Under the Centre's flagship TB elimination programme, voluntary donors known as Ni-kshay Mitras, including individuals, NGOs, corporates, political parties, or institutions, adopt TB patients and provide nutritional, diagnostic, and vocational support. The monthly nutritional food baskets comprising pulses, cereals, edible oil and other essential food items are to aid recovery, impr...