“When I recover, I want to play cricket,” says Deepak Shegar, a 23-year-old whose aspirations extend far beyond his battle with drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB). With dreams of a career in the garment industry, a love for cricket, and a desire for a brand-new bike, Deepak’s journey to pursue his goals has been long and challenging.
Diagnosed with DR-TB in 2018, just as he began working, Deepak faced immense financial pressure and a seemingly bleak future. However, with successful treatment, his outlook has transformed.
Deepak resides in Vikhroli, East Mumbai, with his family. A year after his diagnosis, his mother, Gunabai, was diagnosed with drug-susceptible TB, which responds effectively to first-line TB drugs when taken correctly. Gunabai, now healthy, raised Deepak and his younger brother Rohit single-handedly, working tirelessly at a construction site after their father, Subhash Shegar, a rickshaw puller, succumbed to TB in 2009 when Deepak was just 10. At 14, Deepak left school to support his family financially.
In 2018, Deepak experienced fever, cough, persistent vomiting, and significant weight loss. Aware of his family’s TB history, he sought testing, fearing the worst. Upon diagnosis, Deepak was overwhelmed by stigma, fearing his dreams and ambitions would crumble. His monthly earnings of Rs 6,000, crucial for supporting his mother, were halted as he faced a prolonged treatment journey. The family struggled financially, often unable to afford three meals a day, as they pooled resources for his recovery.
Initially treated at Powai Government Hospital, Deepak received daily Kanamycin injections for six months, causing severe side effects like mild hearing loss and walking difficulties due to injection pain. His symptoms included breathlessness, extreme fatigue, and persistent cough, compounded by stomachaches from various medications, making eating difficult. Fluid retention in his lungs required a tube insertion, which proved ineffective after a year. He was then referred to the MSF clinic by Sewri TB Hospital.
At the MSF clinic, Deepak was deemed eligible for lung surgery, becoming the first patient referred to the National Institute of Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases (NITRD) in Delhi for the procedure. Post-surgery, his tube was removed, and he began a regimen of DR-TB drugs bedaquiline and delamanid, alongside intravenous imipenem. By November 2022, after nearly two years, Deepak completed his treatment and is now set to resume work in the garment industry.
Deepak’s treatment journey was fraught with challenges, including financial strain, physical exhaustion, and emotional turmoil. Friends distanced themselves upon learning of his condition, leading to isolation and thoughts of self-harm. “On those difficult days, my family was my rock. Their unwavering support kept me going,” Deepak shares. MSF clinic counselling also played a crucial role in his recovery.
Driven by ambition and courage, Deepak remains focused on his future. “I enjoy designing clothes, and once fully recovered, I will immerse myself in this craft,” he says. Currently working 15-20 days a month, Deepak hopes to earn Rs 18,000 monthly in the future.
Dedicated to improving daily, Deepak follows a nutrient-rich diet, featuring fish, chicken, and meat, maintaining a ‘thrice a week’ protein regimen. His brother Rohit has been a steadfast emotional support, providing hope to their family.
