Tuberculosis- On the road to recovery

Thursday, March 19, 2015

Story by Joan Nirupa, Photos by Alfred Ling | Communications | World Vision India

“I can play games now,” says Pooja.

Something as simple as that gives Pooja a lot of happiness. But she knows she cannot take good health for granted.

Pooja, 11, lives with her parents in Patna which sits on the Ganges river in northeast India. Her father, Sitaram Prasad, works for daily wages, whenever there is work.

Almost a year ago, Pooja complained of chest pain. Although they took her to a doctor nearby, the pain did not go away. The staff of World Vision’s Patna programme area referred them to another hospital for further tests. Following the results, Pooja was diagnosed with Tuberculosis (TB).

Pooja had to take the complete medication course for TB, which lasted nine months, which they pick-up at the hospital.

For many children like Pooja who live in city slums, TB is often a sad reality. The overcrowded slums and unhygienic surroundings lead to the spread of a number of illnesses among children.

The right referral to a hospital for TB treatment makes a big difference in a child’s life.

“We monitor children for all illnesses, including TB. When a child is diagnosed with TB, we refer them to the local hospital along with a community volunteer,” explains Priya Ranjan Das, Program Manager, Patna.

The right referral to a hospital for TB treatment makes a big difference in a child’s life. Many children have returned to normal health after completing the medication course for TB.

“Pooja does not have any pain in her chest now. I’m really happy,” says her mother Gayatri Devi.

Pooja feels much better now and enjoys going to school. “I like Hindi,” she says.

Gayathri Devi is also part of the self-help group organised by World Vision’s Patna programme.

After her daughter’s struggle with TB, Gayathri Devi decider to become a campaigner against TB in her community.

“When children fall sick I go and advise them to take them to the hospital,” she says. She also regularly meets children in her neighbourhood who are undergoing medical treatment.

“I tell them what to do. I can tell them that their child will be better soon.”

World Vision’s Patna staff work in the slums of Patna, Bihar. The project works through child sponsorship, livelihood assistance, health support and community development programmes.

“Our entire community has benefitted from World Vision. They are always there to help,” says Gayathri Devi.

World Vision’s programmes regularly conduct awareness programmes on TB and the importance of seeking timely treatment from the local Government hospitals and health care centres.

Note: India has one of the highest TB burdens globally, accounting for 20% of the new 8.6 million TB cases annually. (WHO Global TB report, 2013) While the burden of childhood TB in India is not known, an estimated 10% to 20% of all the TB cases occur among children less than 14 years. An estimated 330,000 Indians die annually due to TB.