Ahmad, 11, from Tatlay Aali, a town in Gujranwala district, Pakistan, was diagnosed with tuberculosis (TB) when he was just five years old. “We’d never heard about this disease, nobody from our family ever had it. At the same time, it was very concerning especially when the doctor asked my son to wear a mask at home,” said Imtiaz Ali, Ahmad’s father, a daily worker and the sole breadwinner of a family of six.
“After taking the medication, Ahmad would feel well for a while, but then his illness would return and with each passing day he would grow weaker,” he explained. They tried a different hospital where the child was again given TB treatment, but the cycle of temporary improvement followed by worsening health continued. “Despite completing the TB treatment twice, Ahmad’s condition was not improving, so we decided to seek treatment at the Gulab Devi Hospital in Lahore,” he said. There, Ahmad was finally referred to MSF clinic, the PMDT [Programmatic Management of Drug Resistant Tuberculosis] site specialized in treating drug-resistant tuberculosis in Gujranwala where he received an 18-month long treatment and eventually made a full recovery.
“Before coming to the PMDT site, Ahmad had been misdiagnosed and treated for drug-sensitive TB twice in four years,” explained Shahida, MSF Counselor educator at PMDT Site in Gujranwala. After testing him with GeneXpert – an accurate and rapid molecular testing tool that can detect multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) using tissue and stool samples – MSF medical team at the PMDT site Gujranwala was able to determine that the child had both pulmonary and extra-pulmonary MDR TB and provide the appropriate treatment.
“Father and son first arrived at the PMDT site with a mixture of fear and hope, uncertain if they had indeed found the right place for the treatment,” said Shahida. “As a parent of a young sick child, I completely understand his state of mind. I started by educating them about DRTB and its treatment using flip charts. The father got worried when I explained about the duration of the treatment and potential side effects. Treatment began on August 10, 2022, with an 18-month ¹ for DRTB” she says. Therapeutic food and iron supplements were added to his diet since he had lost a lot of weight and was very weak. He was also introduced to psychological therapy and support groups for adolescents to encourage him to express his emotions and connect with other patients.
“Throughout his treatment, Ahmad struggled with anger and frustration, especially since he had to stop going to school and wear a mask at home all the time to avoid infecting his siblings,” said Imtiaz. “But despite these challenges, he found comfort in the supportive MSF staff at the PMDT site. Not only did they provided him with medication, but they also offered guidance on how to manage side effects and prevent spreading the infection to others while keeping a positive and hopeful attitude,” said Ahmad’s father.
Ahmad joined in group activities, to make friends and get emotional support during his treatment. “Since he was a child, he mostly took pediatric doses of medicine to make it easier to swallow,” recalled Shahida. “He complained about the bitter taste of some of the medicines and sometimes felt discouraged but with some counselling, he stayed motivated and continued to take them. He preferred oral tablets that he could swallow,” she said. However, soon side effects such as constipation, mild diarrhea, and hypopigmentation –a lightening of the colour of the skin – started appearing.
“I am a daily worker”, said Imtiaz. “It is difficult for me to take time off work but Ahmad’s health has been my top priority. I used to spare one day a month to accompany him to the PMDT site each time. Even though it was a 15 km journey from our home, we were always the first to show up,” he said.
“After a few months of treatment, he became stable, gained weight, and day by day his health improved. His punctuality at appointments was remarkable and set a positive example for others. Showing up early at the monthly follow-ups showed his trust in the treatment and his strong motivation for a full recovery. Seeing his happiness and optimism during sessions was rewarding. Newcomers and young patients taking part in support groups looked up at him as a symbol of strength and hope,” said Shahida.
Since recovering Ahmad has resumed his normal childhood activities. “I got him a bicycle because I know he loves cycling. Now, he happily rides it, plays with other kids, and has returned to school”, added Imtiaz. “Ahmad is my eldest son; I know he has made it through and hope he will now lead a healthy successful life. Our persistence and the outstanding support from the MSF staff at PMDT site have played a major role in bringing back happiness to our family,” says Ahmad’s father.
Shaukat Ali's Journey to Recovery
“Before getting tuberculosis, I had never been sick; I don’t even remember ever taking any medicines,” said Shaukat Ali, a salesman attending a graduation ceremony held in January 2024 at Programmatic Management of Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis (PMDT) site in Gujranwala. Shaukat is proudly holding a certificate of treatment completion, a testament to his perseverance and dedication in overcoming drug-resistant tuberculosis.
“I own my own business, and I travel a lot for work. Some time ago, I had just come back from a trip in the area of Multan when I started feeling ill and was admitted to Gondal Hospital. I couldn’t eat a thing. I was dismissed after being treated with lots of different medications but sometime later I had to be hospitalised again, this time at the Allama Iqbal Hospital. I was trapped in a cycle of illness and recovery and one fateful evening, I coughed up blood and feared the worst.
As I lay in bed, the stark reality of my health condition sinking in, I couldn’t shake the feeling that my days on this earth were numbered. With a sense of urgency weighing heavy on my heart, I knew I had to make amends for any wrongs I may have committed. So, one by one, I reached out to my closest friends, and I sought their forgiveness.
Seeking medical help, I made my way back to Allama Iqbal Hospital. I underwent a series of tests to determine the cause of my persistent symptoms and learned that I had contracted drug resistant tuberculosis (DRTB). The hospital then referred me to the clinic specialized in drug-resistant tuberculosis managed by MSF.
I am the father of four sons and two daughters. Two of my sons are already married and another is soon to tie the knot. I own a crockery factory, and during my illness, my sons had to take over the business while I focused on recovery. I was feeling so week, I could hardly do anything but just lie around the house.
I had lost all hope when I received a call from the doctors of the PMDT site to ask me to show up. So my journey to recovery started in March last year. As soon as I arrived at the PMDT I was tested and was put on the treatment. I was treated with such care and compassion.
After just six-month treatment, I am delighted and amazed with the remarkable progress I have made since starting. I am now in good health and back at work, overseeing the business and closely following our progress. I have come a long way and I am active again and able to discuss with my sons all aspects of our business. I certainly could not have done that when I was ill. Receiving the right treatment has truly saved my life and I am deeply grateful to the MSF team for all they did,” he says.
