Tuberculosis: An Enormous Step Towards Healing with Keheala

Edwin (Keheala Project Manager) and Josephine (Keheala’s patient)

Josephine, a primary school teacher woke up one morning and felt a sharp pain in her chest that made it difficult for her to walk on her own. She was shocked like any one of us would have been, and as a science teacher, she knew something was terribly wrong with her health.

A few weeks before that incident, she had gone to the nearest dispensary because she was having night sweats and a cough that was not going away. At the dispensary she was told that it was probably ulcers and given flagyl and some pain killers. Later, she realized that was a missed opportunity for tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis.

“Suspicion index for TB among healthcare workers is very low, often leading to late TB diagnosis. Someone will be treated for a cough two or three times until things get really bad before TB diagnosis is done,” said Josephine.

Once diagnosed with TB, she thought of her family and students. TB being an airborne disease, she was concerned that the children she interacted with on a daily basis might have been infected. 

“Infection from TB  in children can lead to severe forms of tuberculosis that have high mortality and morbidity rate. This made me very worried,” recalls Josephine.

Patrick, a community health volunteer at Mumias sub district hospital told Josephine about Keheala and the support that it offers to TB patients. There and then she knew that Keheala was the program that she would lean on to  support her during her treatment journey. 

Josephine with Patrick (a community health volunteer) at Mumias Sub District Hospital

Josephine was immediately enrolled onto Keheala, and Keheala’s support sponsors reassured her that TB is curable, as long as she takes her pills every day. She was also notified of the importance of verifying her treatment daily. In addition, she was provided with disease information tools that enabled her to  protect those around her from getting infected with the disease.

“Keheala made my treatment journey more enjoyable and worthwhile. Constant treatment reminders, motivational messages, disease management information and support made me take my drugs every single day, and protect my family from this infectious disease.” uttered Josephine.

Her experience as a TB patient, combined with the  support she received from Keheala, gave her a special insight that she now carries when taking care of her pupils. She is now able to explain to her students how TB is spread and the duration of its treatment as well as demystifying myths and misconceptions surrounding TB.

“We forget that tuberculosis is still the number one infectious killer worldwide. It is not something of the past. It is right here with us. Programs like Keheala, that offer support and motivation to TB patients, provide hope that TB will be eliminated,.” said Josephine.

After all is said and done, I can see Keheala achieving the second goal of End TB Strategy before 2035, “95% reduction in TB deaths by 2035.”

-Edwin-