Now, TB patients get Rs 500 every month

Manmeet Singh Gill

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, December 7

Considering the need of tuberculosis patients for nutritious food, the government has started paying Rs500 per month to them. The amount is transferred into their bank accounts.

Health officials said till date, the amount had been transferred into the accounts of at least 947 patients in the district.

As a total of 3,695 TB patients have been identified in the district, the amount would be disbursed to the remaining patients after they submit their bank account details with the department, they added.

Dr Naresh Chawla, District TB Control Officer, said the process to get the account details of patients was on.

He said most of the TB patients come from slum areas and the disease was caused by unhygienic conditions. Chawla added that the money of two months had been deposited in the accounts of each patient.

“Most of the patients are unable to buy nutritious food during their treatment. The money will help them meet the requirement for the same,” he said.

Civil Surgeon Dr Hardeep Singh Ghai said if cough was prolonged more than two weeks, the reason could be TB. So, one should get it checked, he added.

“Medicines are given free of cost to patients. The disease is communicable and extra care is required,” he said, adding that patients should complete the full-term course of medicine as advised by the physician and should not leave it midway.