TB Survivor On A Mission To Help Other Patients

Nandita Venkatesan, who lost her hair and hearing after two bouts of intestinal tuberculosis and hid her illness for eight years of her decade-long suffering, has resolved to help other patients going through the same ordeal.

The Mumbai girl gets asked a lot of questions on Facebook regarding the disease.

Stigma around the disease

"People don't ask doctors these questions. Nobody explains side effects. I had no one to refer to when I had similar doubts and read up a lot then. That is how I answer questions," Venkatesan, 28, told the Thomson Reuters Foundation.

"The disease is seen as a matter of shame and defeat. And self-stigma among girls is particularly high," said Venkatesan

She has also won an award from a major Indian bank for her 'brave fight' against TB.

Also: The TB Scourge: Where India Stands

Her story

Venkatesan was 17 when she was diagnosed with tuberculosis. "In the most decisive years when you have notions of beauty, when girls my age were dating and building careers," she said. Women suffer more than men as they are more hesitant with queries, she added.

Venkatesan had supportive parents. However, she was still battling depression and didn't feel good about her life.

She got cured two years ago. The media studies graduate sat for a job interview with a major business newspaper.

A lonely battle

"I have a job. I am a financially independent girl. Patients and survivors, who write to me, look up to me for that. It was a lonely battle for me. But you need that hope -- that if she can do it, so can we," Venkatesan said about her experience.

But the fight she put up against tuberculosis is inspiring. Also, what she is doing for other TB patients is commendable. We wish her the best in her endeavour!

Read Also: Meet 20-year-old Poonam Rana, who is Turning Setbacks Into Comebacks