A Compassionate Collection
In a heartwarming display of solidarity, employees from Mumbai's JJ Hospital came together to contribute a sum of Rs 47,000. This fund was specifically
raised to procure and distribute nutritious food hampers to children who are undergoing treatment for Tuberculosis. The initiative, spearheaded by the hospital staff, aims to address a critical aspect of recovery – proper nutrition – for these young patients. Fifty children under five years of age, some of whom are battling extensively drug-resistant strains of TB, are set to benefit from this thoughtful gesture. The hampers are designed to provide essential sustenance for a significant period, offering a tangible source of support during their lengthy treatment regimens. This collective effort underscores the empathy and commitment of the healthcare professionals beyond their clinical duties.
Supporting Young TB Fighters
The JJ Hospital's paediatric department plays a crucial role in treating TB in children, being one of only two centres nationwide authorized to administer a specific advanced medication to children under five. This drug, bedaquiline, is being used for treatment durations up to 20 months, depending on the severity of the disease. Out of 60 children who have received this treatment, 30 have successfully overcome extensively drug-resistant TB. Tragically, four children succumbed to the illness due to disseminated TB, where the infection spread to multiple vital organs. The remaining patients are continuing their treatment. Importantly, Dr. Sushant Mane, who manages the paediatric TB program, noted that none of the children have experienced complications related to bedaquiline, with rigorous monitoring of eyesight, hearing, nerve conduction, and heart function. ECGs are conducted weekly in the first month and monthly thereafter. The hospital also manages a weekly TB Outpatient Department (OPD) with approximately 40 patients attending, and sees four to five new cases each week. Children represent 6% of Mumbai's total TB burden, according to 2025 BMC data. The primary objective of the JJ 'bedaquiline for under-five' program is to establish the drug's safety for this vulnerable age group, a finding also supported by research from Wadia Children's Hospital. Wider distribution is anticipated once approved by the Drugs Controller General of India.
Nourishment for Recovery
To alleviate the often arduous association with hospital visits for the city's youngest TB patients, particularly those under five receiving daily antibiotics for up to 20 months and undergoing regular health checks, the JJ Hospital staff initiated a special project. On the eve of World TB Day, 52 staff members contributed between Rs 500 and Rs 5,000 each, pooling Rs 47,000. This significant sum was used to assemble nutritional hampers for 50 children. Dr. Chhaya Valvi, Head of the Paediatric Department, explained that each basket contains a three-month supply of essential provisions, including nuts, dates, pulses, and oil. This initiative coincides with nearly four years of providing bedaquiline, a modern antibiotic for drug-resistant TB, to children in this age bracket, aiming to foster a more positive and supportive experience during their treatment.
