Reality of folks infected by TB : Social stigma
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 04 2025: Tuberculosis (TB), a disease that has plagued humanity for centuries, can now be cured with early diagnosis and treatment, thanks to advancements in medical sciences.

However, despite this progress, people living with TB continue to face a dual battle: fighting the disease itself and fighting the stigma surrounding it.

This report delves into the lives of those affected, revealing the devastating impact of societal rejection and the resilience of the human spirit and the initiative taken up by the Government to tackle the issue.

Speaking to The Sangai Express, Thambal (65), not real name, said that people living with TB have done nothing wrong and do not deserve to be rejected or ostracized.

Reality of folks infected by TB : Social stigma

"Why does society reject people living with TB when they didn't choose to contract the disease?", she asked and added that stigmatizing people living with TB will not eliminate the disease.

The prevailing culture of fear and shame around TB discourages people from seeking medical attention and inadvertently facilitates the spread of the disease, she said.

Notably, the Indian Government launched Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan in 2022 to eliminate TB by 2025, five years ahead of the World Health Organisation target of 2030 .

Through the scheme, the Government launched Nikshay Mitra so that people can come out voluntarily to provide additional support to the on-treatment TB patients who have given consent for support.

Even as Manipur currently has 1500 on-treatment TB patients, the figure of enrolment for the Nikshay Mitra programme is only 228 .

In this regard, State TB Officer Dr Hemlata Thokchom said that the disparity in the enrolment for the Nikshay Mitra programme in Manipur highlights the need for increased awareness and education about the programme's benefits to eliminate the disease.

She said that the progress in combating TB may be hindered if the enrolment for Nikshay Mitra in Manipur does not improve.

Saying that any individual or a group can become a Nikshay Mitra and provide support in various areas, including treatment, vocational support, investigation, and nutrition kits, Dr Hemlata maintained that the Government of India has also taken up an initiative to include Nikshay Mitra as part of the 100 day National TB elimination campaign.

People can register themselves for the Nikshay Mitra programme at various locations, including healthcare facilities, colleges, and other community centres, she said.

A TB patient, who wishes to remain anonymous, shared his personal experience of living with TB.

Initially, he feared stigma and social exclusion, which led to feelings of isolation and low self-esteem.

However, when he found a companion through the Nikshay Mitra programme to support him throughout his treatment journey, his confidence began to grow.

He expressed desire for more people to break the stigma surrounding TB and encourage others to join the fight against the disease.