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Samte is the chief of Sugnu village. He is both HIV-positive and has multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB). He’s had a hard time with his treatment for his illnesses. When we meet at his house, however, he has a big smile on his face and welcomes us in.
Samte’s wife tells us that it was sometimes hard to support her husband, mainly when he was feeling miserable and had difficulties swallowing the many pills for his treatment. There were moments when he wanted to stop his treatment. Then, she would try to make him take his pills one at a time. She helped by combining them with pieces of fruit or putting them in porridge.
At first, the treatment also consisted of injections. Samte feels much better now that he doesn’t have to get those anymore. His appetite has returned, and he’s been sleeping much better. He laughs when he tells us that he’s even been cooking, helping out his wife around the house after she has done so much to support him.
Samte started his treatment after going to a clinic in Imphal. Unfortunately, he didn’t get better at first, and his sister told him about MSF. So when an MSF car drove through his village, he stopped the driver and asked him if MSF could help him. The driver told him about the MSF clinic in Karong. There, he was diagnosed with MDR-TB.
That was nearly two years ago. Samte knows that he will finish his treatment soon. His wife adds that he couldn’t have done it without MSF as they helped him when he was almost dead. “MSF is therefore always in my prayers,” she says.
Samte and his wife were interviewed by Zenka Slegt and Frank Aalderinks
