Patients at Bengaluru government hospitals to get tailor-made meals

Government hospitals in Bengaluru will now serve patients meals tailored to their medical needs instead of a one-size-fits-all diet. Until now, children, pregnant women and new mothers admitted to government hospitals were given the same general diet as other patients.

Officials quoted by The New Indian Express reported that the same general diet did not adequately meet patients’ specific nutritional requirements. To address this, the health department, in partnership with ISKCON, launched a five meal-a-day programme for patients admitted in KC General Hospital, Sir CV Raman Hospital, and Jayanagar General Hospital on Tuesday.

Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao launched the new diet plan initiative at CV Raman General Hospital. As per an agreement, ISKCON will provide daily meals for around 250 patients in each hospital. Patients will be served breakfast, morning and evening snacks, lunch and dinner. As per the report, the health department has allocated Rs 1.37 crore for the programme over the next nine months.

Gundu Rao told the media that the new diet plans are designed to speed up recovery and improve treatment outcomes. As per the diet plan, pregnant women will receive meals rich in iron and folic acid. New mothers will be given foods that boost milk production and overall health, while children will be served nutrient-rich meals to aid growth and immunity. As per the report, if successful, the programme will be extended to other government hospitals across the state.