When Fatima was first diagnosed with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis, neighbors in a poor area of Manila told her there was no cure. Beyond this, she faced prejudice by community members who consider TB to be a punishment for behavior they consider immoral, such as kissing or having sex. Fatima was terrified that her three young sons would have to grow up without her, until a community health worker visited her home, and explained that treatment is available. Through Global Fund support, more than 50 health workers have been trained to raise awareness in Fatima’s community about TB, and to encourage people to be tested and treated for the disease. After about eighteen months of treatment, Fatima is now fully cured of tuberculosis.
For more information about Global Fund photos, please e-mail: photos@theglobalfund.org.
Copyright: The Global Fund / John Rae.