for treatment) and she had pus discharge too from her left gland on the neck which led to the swelling of the face. She also suffered loss of appetite and severe cough. However, there was no fever or chest pain. She had stopped playing with her friends and in fact become inactive.

When she was brought for physical examination by her father three samples of sputum were collected, the Mantoux test was done besides some general lab investigations like DC and WBC. While the sputum samples examined were found negative, the Mantoux test was positive. The child was diagnosed as an Extra Pulmonary TB case and put under Cat III regimen according her body weight.

As part of treatment, Mansuk was put under daily doses initially. On completion of one month treatment she was put on DOTS treatment. Now, she is taking regular treatment of under the supervision of her parents.

Such TB patients require good, nutritious food to improve their body weight and recover from the disease. However, the economic condition of Mansuk’s parents does not guarantee good food. Her mother, who is also a TB (CAT I) patient stopped working as a daily wage stone cutter earning Rs. 20/-Rs 25/- when she was affected with TB. Her father works as a brick maker and earns Rs 50/- a day. However, he drinks alcohol twice or thrice in a week.

Since the family is dependent on the father’s earnings it is not able to give nutritious food to Mansuk. If she would have received good nutrition right from the first day of treatment she would have been ensured of a steady and faster recovery. Nevertheless she is slowly on the road to recovery.

Bringing back the smile......

Mrs Tanku Pentamma, a 60-year-old widow, lives with her son and daughter-in-law at Bada Bankidi, GP Almonda of Bandhugaon Block, Koraput District.

She suffered from fever, consistent cough, weakness and loss of appetite for two months. When her son took her to the concerned health worker for treatment she was administered medication for malaria. There was no improvement in her condition on account of this.

During a Group Talk on Tuberculosis conducted by KORALEP staff in her village, she reported voluntarily to the CHP along with her son. When she mentioned her symptoms,

she was advised to report to the nearest sputum collection centre (Almonda) established by KORALEP for sputum examination. Accordingly, she went to the nearest SCC and the test turned out to be positive.

The case was registered under category-I and the patient was put on DOTS treatment through the DP. Slowly the signs and symptoms improved and the patient was able to resume her daily activities. On completion of two months of intensive phase treatment, the follow-up sputum sample was examined and found negative. During the treatment the patient did not experience any complication and subsequently she was cured of TB. One could a smile on her wrinkled face and her family members expressed their gratitude to LEPRA Society for curing her.

“DOTS cured my mother, it will cure you”

Pramila Pradhani (45) was living a normal life with her husband, son, daughter-in-law and two grand children till she started experiencing chest pain, cough and fever. Due to this, she could neither extend a helping hand in agriculture nor contribute to the family income.

Being unaware of the signs and symptoms of the disease, the family members tried unscientific treatment from the local healers which proved ineffective. Time came when the family members lost hope of her survival, but as a last attempt they approached the local health facility (CHC, Junagarh) where she was suspected for tuberculosis and was referred to JUNLEP as per the guidelines of RNTCP.

The suspicion of the referring doctor came true and Pramila was diagnosed with tuberculosis after examination of three sputum samples. Her body weight was only 29 kgs and she was absolutely weak at the time of diagnosis. Pramila was shocked when the diagnosis was disclosed to her. However, after proper counselling she was put on DOTS by the Anganwadi worker of her village Chingudisar. She was also informed about the safety practices and her grand children were administered with chemoprophylaxis as a preventive measure.

Pramila continued the treatment without any lapses with a strong hope that she would get cured one day. But she kept herself away from the grand children apprehending the transmission of the disease. She was found free from the bacteria after completion of the intensive phase of the treatment that encouraged her to continue the treatment in the continuation phase and after six months she was absolutely free from tuberculosis. By the end of six months, she had already gained six kgs and was feeling normal. The grand children are now back in the warm lap of their grandmother. Pramila is slowly getting back to working in the fields.

The magic drug has not only brought back peace and happiness in the life of Pramila but also instilled tremendous confidence and faith in her son Gangadhar who has already started referring suspects of tuberculosis to JUNLEP. Recently he has volunteered to be a DOTS provider for a patient who was referred by him and was diagnosed positive. An encouraged Gangadhar now says, “DOTS cured my mother, it will cure you”.