4 survivors share stories of living through the horror that is tuberculosis
Tuberculosis (TB ) is one of India’s severest health crises killing over a 1000 Indians every day. Over the last several years, that I have worked on TB I was struck how rarely we hear from those most affected by TB-namely patients and their families. How can the survivors of India’s severest health crisis be faceless and voiceless?
With this in mind, I started the recording of the stories of TB survivors where they narrate their stories. This photo essay is drawn from a collection of such stories of TB. These pictures tell us about individuals and the social, economic and cultural circumstances in which they address TB. They show the grit, determination and triumph of their spirit in the battle against TB. They also provide critical information on how TB affected interactions with doctors, health systems, in families and communities.
TB is a man made crisis -neglected by the government and exploited by the private sector. Recent reports of drug sales indicate that the TB burden may be double of what is projected. If this is not a humanitarian crisis-what is? How did India create this crisis and ignore it for so long? These stories tell us a lot of these reasons and represent a charter of demands from TB affected. It is now incumbent on all of us to listen.
This photo story was supported by The Lily MDR TB Foundation. Click here to acces it.
Source:
Youth Ki Awaaz
