PATNA: People suffering from tuberculosis (TB) in Bihar undergo lots of mental stress due to social stigma and lack of awareness about the disease. This was revealed on Sunday by 15
TB survivors, who attended a capacity building workshop on 'TB survivors to TB champions' organized by REACH, an NGO working for treatment, research, advocacy and public education about TB in association with State TB Cell, Bihar, and supported by the US Agency for International Development (USAID).
Sharing her experience on the concluding day of the three-day workshop, Arti Kumari said, "I was diagnosed with TB a few months after my husband Jagannath Ray was diagnosed with the same disease. I faced stigma everywhere and did not receive any support from family and friends. Neighbours used to turn faces and change their path whenever they saw us. I wasn't allowed to use the community tap. I wanted to commit suicide, but with the support of doctors and counsellors at Darbhanga, I am cured. TB is not a curse. It is a fully curable disease."
Krishna Kumar, another participant, said, "When I was diagnosed with TB for the first time, I didn't complete the course of medicines prescribed and suffered from it again. This time, I was more aware and careful. With correct medicines and follow-up, I was able to win the fight against TB. There is a lack of awareness and knowledge about the free treatment provided at the government health centres."
Sudheshwar Kumar Singh works in the development sector. He was inflicted with TB in 2010. He stresses on the need to create awareness about the disease. "TB patients need moral support. Instead of giving moral support and instilling confidence and will in patients to live, the society often alienates them. People think if you have TB, you are as good as dead," he said.
Rajeev Kumar, another TB survivor, lost his sister due to this disease in 2015. "She was regularly treated at a private hospital in Lakhisarai. The hospital was not equipped with proper facilities and doctors there were unaware as how to treat a TB patient. Two out of her four children are also suffering from TB. I brought them to Patna and they are receiving treatment at IGIMS," he said.
The workshop addressed issues such as the burden of TB, advocacy issues, RNTCP structure and focused on the need for powerful and effective storytelling. State TB programme officer Dr K N Sahay stressed on the need of monitoring the disease at community level.
Recognizing the importance of a network-led advocacy effort, the participants formed their own network during the course of the workshop. The group, 'Ummeed — TB Mukti ki Ore ek Pahal', will stay connected over the messaging platform WhatsApp and meet on occasions to identify and address their advocacy needs for TB.
