“FAME is Home”
25-year-old Joseph* is back at FAME to pick up his medication. Joseph was admitted for two weeks at FAME in November, suffering from severe tuberculosis (TB). He first came to FAME in March of this year, where he was first diagnosed with TB. He was counseled and given medicine.
“As much as the doctors and nurses emphasized the importance of taking all medication at the right time and day and coming for a refill while I still had some pills left, I didn’t take it seriously. I felt a bit weak when I came to FAME, but this went away after taking medicine for a few weeks. So I stopped taking the medication and returned to work.”
Several months later, Joseph was working in Nairobi, Kenya, when he got terribly sick.
“I was so sick. I couldn’t breathe, I was coughing and I had chest pains, was weak and could barely stand up and my body was hot like I was boiling from the inside [fever]. I was sure I was going to die and since I didn’t want to be buried in a foreign land, I struggled to get home.”
Joseph’s family lives in Lake Natron, 100 miles from FAME. When he got home, his uncle took one look at him and drove him to FAME.
“I was resigned to my fate at this point. I knew that death was inevitable. My uncle said he was bringing me back to FAME, but I was too weak to fight him. I didn't see how FAME or any other hospital could help me. The journey was long and uncomfortable and that's the last thing I remember.”
- Joseph
Joseph was received and put in isolation at FAME, where he was treated for ten days before moving to Ward 1. The FAME staff battled to save his life.
“ I am so grateful to FAME. They did the impossible and brought me back to life! They took very good care of me. They were not harsh or annoyed with me because I had not followed their instructions the first time. They treated me with care and love. They became my friends. They calmly made me understand that I endangered my life and that of others by ignoring the doctor’s orders. I have since returned to FAME three times to pick up my medication and I’m now taking it exactly as the doctor prescribed. Every time I come here, I’m very happy! FAME is home.”
Joseph (left) says hello to the nurses, who,are delighted to see him! Nurse Hosiana Zephania (right) and Nurse Sarah Kimaro are especially ecstatic!
“When Joseph came to FAME, he was very sick and had given up. He thought he would die. Joseph could not believe it when he got better and could return home. Whenever he comes for his medication at FAME, he always comes to Ward 1 to say hello to everyone! All the nurses know Joseph and are always happy to see him. Joseph is always smiling when he sees us! We are very proud of him!”
Joseph has since referred one of his friends to FAME, who suffered from TB and diabetes. FAME treated his TB successfully and is now helping him manage his diabetes through the diabetes clinic.
“I tell everyone who will listen how serious TB is and if they suspect that they might have it, they should go to the hospital immediately. TB treatment might be long [6-12 months], but it's worth it. Nobody has to die from this disease.”
- Joseph.
In collaboration with the Tanzanian Government through the National TB and Leprosy Programme (NTLP), FAME treats TB patients in our catchment area. This year alone, we have had 103 TB cases diagnosed at FAME,
According to Dr. Jacob Olekeiya, FAME’s TB and HIV Coordinator, cases like Joseph’s are not uncommon. Some TB patients do not take their medicine as prescribed, despite the counseling and education they receive at FAME. Some refuse to accept or take the disease seriously, downplaying its effects. For others, cultural beliefs play a part and they claim to have been bewitched and a quick visit to a witch doctor will fix everything. These patients are likely also to have HIV and see the two diagnoses as the crafty work of dark forces trying to hurt them. However, HIV weakens the immune system, increasing the risk of opportunistic infections such as TB. For these patients, continued counseling, support and patience go a long way.
For some patients living in far-to-reach areas where distance, transport and money are a problem, taking medication as prescribed can be a challenge as they cannot come to pick up their medication easily. For these patients, FAME writes a referral letter to their local clinic and regularly follows up with these centers to ensure they are still picking up their medicines.
Joseph (left) talks to Dr. Emmanuel Mbilinyi, one of the doctors involved in his care.
However, it's not all bleak!
“Most patients follow doctors’ orders and are cured of TB. They then empower their communities with information about this disease and the need to seek quick treatment and follow all the instructions given by the doctors to the letter.”
FAME does not provide care to only patients diagnosed in our facility; we also receive visits from patients who have been diagnosed elsewhere but come to FAME for their medication and support. These types of visits are up 33% from last year.
“FAME is fortunate to have the government's support and collaboration in the fight against TB. Most TB cases at FAME are pulmonary TB which involves the lungs, usually taking six months to treat. Sometimes we see cases of extra-pulmonary TB (EPTB) involving the lymph nodes and abdomen, which takes 8-12 months to treat. The free TB medication from the government has been a game changer in ensuring that everybody has access to TB treatment despite where they live and their economic standing.”
-FAME’s TB and HIV Coordinator, Dr. Jacob Olekeiya.
*While the patient’s name has been changed to protect privacy, permission was secured to share his photos and story with FAME supporters and to raise awareness of available medical care at FAME Medical.