TB stories

Aisha’s story

TB Alert’s campaigning success in Andhra Pradesh, India, is helping keep children like Aisha healthy and free of TB. Aisha’s mother Susheela grew up in poverty, and had to leave school as a child to take care of her younger sisters. Susheela left home …

Sabine’s story

‘Health buddy’ Sabine Jaulim is working in her local community to raise awareness of TB and battle stigma and myths surrounding the illness. Sabine is one of a ten-strong team of health buddies, which the Redbridge Council for Voluntary Services has de …

Selina’s story

If you met Selina Phiri today, you’d find it hard to believe that just three years ago, this young woman’s life was completely shattered. Happily married with two healthy children, she spends her days tending the maize and pumpkins in her field in a sm …

Medson’s story

When Malawian farmer Medson Sakala was diagnosed with TB just two years after finding out he was HIV positive, he faced widespread stigma and discrimination. “I found myself in many difficult situations,” says Medson. ” For example, my wife’s family to …

Venkata’s story

Venkata Swami knows his local community well. As the village chemist, he’s the one they turn to first for advice and medicine when they are feeling unwell. Ventaka mangages Shivani Medicals pharmacy in Adilabad district, Telangana, India. These days wh …

Teaching TB in a game

Snakes and ladders is helping children in Andhra Pradesh learn vital health messages about TB and HIV. TB Alert’s partner VMM, which manages the TAP project, developed a special version of the game for use in Children’s Clubs. Children who play the gam …

Kamitondo Clinic

The Kamitondo Clinic can be found in Kitwe, in the Copperbelt District of Zambia. It is a busy, frequently congested, health centre providing services for both TB and HIV. The clinic’s clients include pregnant women who are receiving anti-retroviral th …

Swami’s story

Swami, 17, is a leader of a school health support group run by TB Alert’s partner, VMM. He and his sister Vennela have recovered from TB but both are HIV positive. They are orphans, having lost their parents, who were also HIV positive, to TB. Swami an …

Louise’s story

When Louise became ill with a chest infection at the beginning of 2009, she wasn’t particularly concerned. It was not unusual for her to have this condition, which she assumed was a consequence of smoking. However, this time the infection did not respo …

Simon’s story

I wanted to mark a year free of drug-resistant TB by setting myself a real physical challenge. By doing the legendary John O’Groats to Land’s End cycle ride, I was able to prove to myself and the world that I’ve really got TB beat. It was also the perf …

Jennifer’s story

Jennifer Mwale, 46, is a traditional healer in the Chibuluma township of the Kitwe District, Zambia. She lives with her husband, a farmer, and five children that range in age from five to 21. Healing is a proud tradition in Jennifer’s family. When Jenn …

Amy’s story

As a young law student, Amy’s attention was focused on her studies. When she developed a dry, itchy cough and began to lose weight rapidly, she thought it was the stress of her degree. When a relative suggested TB, she felt sure the BCG vaccine she’d h …

Emmanuel’s story

As Murambinda’s TB Clerk, Emmanuel understands the devastating consequences of failing to complete treatment. When he noticed that Jonah, a patient under Murambindia’s care, had not been to his local clinic to collect his medication, Emmanuel decided t …

Patrick’s story

Patrick Mubanga lives in a one-room house in the Katimondo Township in the Copperbelt Province of Zambia, with his wife Alice and their six children. The family earns a living by selling tomatoes, sweet potatoes and other groceries to passers-by. When …

Urmila’s story

Staff from the Delhi DIVINE Project met Urmila, who owns a small shop in the Nathupura District of Delhi, while carrying out a survey to assess the local TB situation. Urmila helped them to get information about the area and introduced them to local me …