Nikshay Poshan Yojana (NPY) for Tuberculosis patients: Early implementation challenges in Delhi, India

Abstract Background Nutrition support is one of the essential factors for envisioning Tuberculosis (TB) elimination in India by 2025. In this regard, Government of India introduced Nikshay Poshan Yojana (NPY) through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) as monthly financial assistance towards nutrition for TB patients in April, 2018. Assessment of early implementation challenges of the scheme is essential. Objective (a) To determine the number (proportion) of TB patients who received the benefits (b) to explore the challenges encountered by the health care providers in delivering the NPY through DBT (c) to explore the ways the incentives were utilised by the patients. Material and Methods It was a cross-sectional study conducted among patients registered for TB treatment at Ladosarai and Mehrauli DOTS centre between July-September, 2018.Health providers engaged in implementation of NPY at the study sites were also interviewed. The data were collected through structured questionnaires, double entered and analyzed in Epi Data. Results Out of 119 patients registered, we interviewed 57 (47.9%) patients. Of which, 30 (52.6%) had received NPY for 2 months in the fourth and fifth month of treatment. The health providers reported increased workload, lack of training and complex reporting formats as main hurdles in implementation of the scheme. While, the patients cited non-availability of bank accounts and unlinked bank account with Aadhar card as difficulties to receive NPY through DBT. Conclusion Nearly half of the interviewed TB patients received nutritional incentives of NPY through DBT for 2 months. Non-availability of bank accounts and unlinked bank accounts were some challenges faced by both health providers and patient. It is recommended to address these implementation on time in order to reap the benefit of scheme in improving nutritional status of TB patients. Further studies are needed to determine the effect of nutrition support on TB patients.