Nutrition Boost: Palampur’s CSIR-IHBT Steps Up in Fight Against TB
India’s battle against Tuberculosis (TB) is getting stronger, thanks to a new initiative from the CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology (IHBT), Palampur. Recognizing how TB is closely linked with malnutrition, anemia, and weak immunity, IHBT has developed fortified food products designed to help patients recover faster and respond better to treatment.
On January 12, 2026, IHBT launched a Special Nutrition Supplementation Programme at Civil Hospital, Una, in collaboration with the District TB Centre and the Department of Health. The programme was inaugurated by Dr. Sudesh Kumar Yadav, Director of IHBT, and Dr. Sanjeev Kumar Verma, Chief Medical Officer of Una. During the launch, nutritional kits packed with protein- and micronutrient-rich foods were distributed to TB patients.
The initiative ensures that patients will continue to receive IHBT’s fortified foods through local technology partners and the Krishna Sachkhand Foundation. Dr. Yadav highlighted the importance of nutrition in TB management, noting that IHBT’s products are already part of flagship programmes under POSHAN Abhiyaan, such as Mission Bharpoor (Kangra), Mission Jeevan Uphaar (Chamba), and Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (Kangra).
Each serving of these fortified foods (40–50 g) delivers 20–25% of daily protein needs, along with iron, calcium, and dietary fibre. Scientific studies have shown that these foods help reduce inflammation caused by malnutrition and support recovery from anemia and protein deficiency.
Dr. Verma added that the fortified foods will complement the Nikshay Mitra Take Home Ration Kits, ensuring TB patients get the nutrition they need. Programme coordinators Dr. Vishal Thakur and Dr. Vidyashankar Srivatsan emphasized that the goal is to bridge critical nutritional gaps and help patients regain strength more quickly.
This initiative marks a significant step in combining science, nutrition, and healthcare to fight TB, offering hope and resilience to patients across Himachal Pradesh.
