WHO considers ICMR study in Jharkhand as model for TB care

 
A landmark study by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) in Jharkhand has been praised by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a model for tuberculosis (TB) care. Published in The Lancet Global Health in 2023, the RATIONS study found that providing nutritional support to TB patients significantly improved treatment outcomes and reduced mortality. According to study, patients who received food rations showed better recovery and survival rates compared to those on standard care. Recognizing its impact, WHO has called on countries in the South-East Asia Region to adopt similar strategies to meet global End TB targets. With TB continuing to affect millions and cause thousands of deaths annually, experts said that integrating nutrition into TB treatment could be a game-changer in eradicating the disease.