World TB Day serves as a valuable opportunity to honor the struggles of survivors like Alip, a young activist from Indonesia, who has embarked on a poignant journey in combating Tuberculosis (TB) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).
Alip, a TB-HIV survivor, shares an inspiring life story. In 2019, he faced significant challenges upon being diagnosed with TB. Initially, his symptoms were mistaken for typhoid fever, leading to an eight-day hospitalization. However, persistent coughing eventually led to a TB diagnosis after X-ray and Upper Respiratory Tract tests confirmed the presence of TB bacteria.
The treatment journey was no easy feat for Alip. He encountered breathing difficulties when initially prescribed Anti-Tuberculosis Drugs (ATDs) and even relied on oxygen. Nevertheless, Alip remained steadfast, enduring nine months of treatment until he achieved full recovery.
Throughout his treatment, Alip also struggled to access support. Initially, he was unaware of how to seek assistance from organizations or communities dedicated to TB. However, over time and through proactive efforts, initiatives emerged that were attuned to TB-HIV issues, including capacity-building workshops and webinars hosted by various community-based organizations.
Alip emphasizes the importance of consistent ATD adherence and overall health maintenance during treatment. He underscores the need for TB education and efforts to eliminate the stigma surrounding the disease, ensuring the availability of essential medications for TB-HIV survivors with ease and best quality.
Alip envisions a brighter future for TB-HIV care with innovations and changes in integrated TB-HIV education programs. To enhance services for those affected by TB and HIV, Alip advocates for further support from various community organizations and governments.
Ultimately, Alip’s message to TB-HIV survivors is one of resilience. The battle against TB and HIV is challenging, especially due to the stigma attached to both diseases. However, with collective support, awareness, and integration between TB and HIV programs, we can progress towards a more compassionate world for TB and HIV survivors. May Alip’s message serve as inspiration for us all to continue the fight against these two diseases.
Meanwhile, World TB Day, observed annually on March 24th, holds significance in highlighting the interconnectedness between Tuberculosis (TB) and HIV/AIDS. These diseases are closely intertwined, with HIV/AIDS significantly increasing the risk of TB infection and progression to active disease. In the Southeast Asia Region alone, it is estimated that in 2022, over 4.8 million people were afflicted with TB, resulting in more than 600,000 deaths (excluding HIV+TB mortality), comprising over half of the global TB deaths. From the perspective of APN+, World TB Day serves as a crucial platform to underscore the importance of addressing TB within the context of HIV/AIDS, as co-infections pose significant challenges to global healthcare systems. By acknowledging this convergence and fostering collaborative efforts, we can strive towards more comprehensive and effective strategies to works on TB and HIV/AIDS, ultimately saving lives and improving global health outcomes.
