Tuberculosis (TB), like all other diseases, has a strong gender dimension that is often ignored within health systems and disease control efforts. This is particularly relevant in India due to economic, social, and cultural aspects that impact women. This photo essay provides a first-hand account of Ajmeri Khatun, a female TB survivor and her journey of recovery.
For Ajmeri Khatun, the impact of TB has been not only physical but also emotional. As she recalls her time spent fighting TB, she vividly remembers the overwhelming frustration of relying solely on her two daughters for support. Khatun winces as she reminisces about that challenging period.
According to Ajmeri Khatun, silence fuels stigma and misinformation. With a determination to regain her strength and be there for her children, Khatun persisted with her treatment and is now able to run her tailoring shop.
Reflecting on her recovery, she emphasizes the importance of not hiding and fighting TB alone.
References:
- S. Huddart, T. Bossuroy, V. Pons, S. Baral, and M. Pai, “Knowledge about tuberculosis and infection prevention behavior: a nine city longitudinal study from India,” 2018, https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0206245. View at: Google Scholar.