The World Health Organization (WHO) recently updated its consolidated guidelines on tuberculosis (TB) and undernutrition. Central to this paradigm shift is the pioneering research conducted by a doctor couple from Mangaluru, Dr. Umesh Mohan C.S. and Dr. Shilpa Aralikar, whose work has directly influenced global TB policy, as per Deccan Herald report.
WHO’s guidelines: Nutrition as a core component of treatmentEarlier this month, on October 8, WHO released new guidelines emphasizing the role of nutrition in TB care. Among the key recommendations, is the provision of food assistance to household contacts of TB patients, especially in settings where food insecurity is prevalent. This represents a significant departure from previous protocols, which focused primarily on pharmacological treatment, as per WHO.
The guidelines now advocate for a household-centered approach, recognizing that TB treatment outcomes are intimately linked with the nutritional status of patients and their families. By including these measures, the WHO aims to reduce TB incidence and improve recovery rates worldwide. As per Deccan Herald report, the Mangaluru couple’s research was pivotal in validating these interventions, showcasing that nutritional support is not ancillary but integral to TB management.
The Pathbreaking StudyThe couple’s research, conducted in India’s high TB-burden settings, demonstrated that providing nutritional support to TB patients significantly improves treatment adherence and outcomes. They focused on undernutrition as a key risk factor for TB progression, showing that malnourished individuals are not only more susceptible to TB but also experience delayed recovery when malnutrition is unaddressed. Their findings highlighted a gap that had long existed in TB care protocols, that is, the urgent need for integrated approaches that combine medical treatment with nutrition interventions, as per the Deccan Herald report.
Impact on India and beyondDirector of the WHO Department for Tuberculosis, Dr Tereza Kasaeva says, “To end TB, we must address undernutrition and food insecurity as part of a comprehensive, household-centred response. Integrating nutrition into comprehensive TB care is essential to breaking the cycle of disease and poverty, and constitutes a critical step towards a world free of TB.” The integration of nutrition into TB care has the potential to improve treatment success rates, reduce transmission, and ultimately accelerate progress toward TB elimination.
The WHO’s updated TB guidelines mark a significant milestone in public health, acknowledging the critical link between undernutrition and TB.
WHO’s guidelines: Nutrition as a core component of treatmentEarlier this month, on October 8, WHO released new guidelines emphasizing the role of nutrition in TB care. Among the key recommendations, is the provision of food assistance to household contacts of TB patients, especially in settings where food insecurity is prevalent. This represents a significant departure from previous protocols, which focused primarily on pharmacological treatment, as per WHO.
The guidelines now advocate for a household-centered approach, recognizing that TB treatment outcomes are intimately linked with the nutritional status of patients and their families. By including these measures, the WHO aims to reduce TB incidence and improve recovery rates worldwide. As per Deccan Herald report, the Mangaluru couple’s research was pivotal in validating these interventions, showcasing that nutritional support is not ancillary but integral to TB management.
The Pathbreaking StudyThe couple’s research, conducted in India’s high TB-burden settings, demonstrated that providing nutritional support to TB patients significantly improves treatment adherence and outcomes. They focused on undernutrition as a key risk factor for TB progression, showing that malnourished individuals are not only more susceptible to TB but also experience delayed recovery when malnutrition is unaddressed. Their findings highlighted a gap that had long existed in TB care protocols, that is, the urgent need for integrated approaches that combine medical treatment with nutrition interventions, as per the Deccan Herald report.
- WHO’s new TB guidelines make nutrition a core part of treatment
- Mangaluru doctors Dr. Umesh Mohan C.S. and Dr. Shilpa Aralikar’s research shaped this global update
- The new approach includes food assistance for TB patients and their families.
- Nutrition is now recognized as vital for faster recovery and better treatment outcomes.
- The WHO shift marks a move toward holistic, patient-centered TB management.
Impact on India and beyondDirector of the WHO Department for Tuberculosis, Dr Tereza Kasaeva says, “To end TB, we must address undernutrition and food insecurity as part of a comprehensive, household-centred response. Integrating nutrition into comprehensive TB care is essential to breaking the cycle of disease and poverty, and constitutes a critical step towards a world free of TB.” The integration of nutrition into TB care has the potential to improve treatment success rates, reduce transmission, and ultimately accelerate progress toward TB elimination.
The WHO’s updated TB guidelines mark a significant milestone in public health, acknowledging the critical link between undernutrition and TB.
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