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Kaka has come to the Mother and Child Health Centre (MCHC) in Bijapur, Chhattisgarh. She used to live 60 kilometres from the clinic. At the moment, however, she lives with relatives nearby. As she has multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB), it’s more convenient to stay near the clinic while she’s getting treated for her illness.
Kaka feels a lot better than she did one year ago. At that time, the side effects of her MDR-TB treatment were affecting her greatly. Kaka couldn’t bare the pains in her body. She lost her motivation, and decided to stop her treatment. After one month, Indian MSF doctor Mahesh visited her, spoke to her, and encouraged her not to give up. It was the mental support Kaka needed to continue the treatment.
The severity of the side effects caused Kaka to stay at the MCHC for several months. Kaka says that she is still alive because of the care she received from MSF. Kaka needed intensive care, and there were no husband or children who could take care of her. During this difficult time, Kaka could rely on the MSF doctors and nurses. They gave her the medication she needed, helped her out of bed and help her eat her food.
“I will never forget what MSF did for me,” Kaka says. “Without them I would not have survived my illness.”
She tells us how happy she is. After two years, Kaka’s MDR-TB treatment is almost over. Two more months to go, and then she’ll finally be cured.
Kaka was interviewed by Frank Aalderinks.
