World Tuberculosis Day
Mama Ntimama and her daughter during the interview.
World Tuberculosis (TB) Day aims to raise public awareness about TB's devastating health consequences and highlights the efforts to treat and eliminate it.
Tanzania is one of 30 “high-burden” countries for TB, with only 65% of TB patients receiving treatment. Poverty, malnutrition, HIV infection and diabetes are the main determinants of TB disease in the country (USAID).
In the first few months of 2023, FAME has already treated 29 TB patients, an increase from 19 patients treated by this time last year.
This week, the same week we are recognizing World TB Day, FAME had two TB patients in the inpatient ward. One was Mama Ntimama, a 79-year-old woman from Ngorongoro who traveled 60 miles to FAME to access TB treatment.
Accompanied by her daughter, Mama Ntimama came to FAME after months of being sick: suffering from an extreme chronic cough and chest pains.
“I had been to my local dispensary twice, but the medicine they gave me did not work. So I turned to local herbs and roots for treatment, but my condition worsened.”
Mama Ntimama’s children decided to send her to a hospital, as her condition was worrying.
“My children told me that I needed to go to a hospital or I would die. I remembered FAME, where I was admitted in 2019 when I was very sick and was cured after a few days, so I asked them to bring me here. At this point, I couldn’t eat or walk. My children could not afford the long journey to FAME or the treatment, so they sold some cows for the money.”
Mama Ntimama passionately tells her story.
Once at FAME, diagnostic tests were done and Mama Ntimama was diagnosed with TB.
“I knew nothing about this disease before the doctor told me. I thought I had a bad cold that couldn’t go away. I was admitted five days ago and after the medicine, I already feel better than I have in months. I’m looking forward to going back home.”
Cases like Mama Ntimama’s are not uncommon. According to WHO, TB remains a significant concern in rural areas of Africa, where the disease often goes undiagnosed and/or untreated. Factors such as poverty, poor living conditions, limited access to basic healthcare services and social stigma contribute to the high incidence of TB in rural areas.
“The doctors at FAME have educated me about this disease. Now I understand what it is and how dangerous it can be if left untreated. If I adhere to my treatment, I will be completely cured.”
TB is treatable but early diagnosis and treatment are needed to prevent serious complications. To combat TB in our catchment area, the government-sponsored TB program at FAME continues to focus on prevention, early diagnosis and effective treatment. Educating communities about TB and its symptoms and increasing access to diagnostic tools and treatment options are crucial services in order to combat TB in the communities FAME serves and throughout Tanzania.
“On World TB Day, I would like to tell people if you have symptoms like mine or have been in contact with someone who has TB, get medical attention immediately. People with TB should not have close contact with others until they receive medicine because they can spread the disease when they cough. I want people also to know that local herbs and roots will not cure TB. It is only cured by medicine from the hospital and following what the doctor says about how to take it.”
Acknowledging this year’s theme of “Yes, We Can End TB!”, FAME’s TB and HIV/AIDS coordinator, Dr. Jacob Olekeiya, says:
“Tanzania bila kifua kikuu inawezekana. Tuungane pamoja kutokomeza kifua kikuu (A TB-free Tanzania is possible. Let’s work together to eradicate TB.) ”
*The patient’s name has been changed to protect their privacy and permission was secured to share their story. The quotes have been translated from Maasai to English.