Defeating TB is another Mahabharata war
Mumbai, the city I call home, where dreams come true, lives change and hope survives. This Maximum City is also home to one of India's most challenging health problems — Tuberculosis (TB), a disease believed to have claimed five lakh lives in the past one year alone.
Since TB spreads through the air, people living in over-crowded cities like Mumbai in cramped homes and workplaces are predictably at a higher risk. I witnessed how devastating the ailment can be when a hardworking, young boy I met during one my shootings, struggled with TB for months before seeking help from his doctors.
The treatment lasted nine months and it took him a few months to get back to work.
This is the reality for thousands of patients and their families. Many of us believe that TB is just a "poor man's disease". But a few years ago, when veteran actor Amitabh Bachchan revealed to the world his personal story of fighting and surviving TB, it drove home a very crucial message: TB can happen to anyone of us.
It does not differentiate between people living in slums and high-rises or between those travelling in local trains and cars. Moreover, people often do not recognise typical symptoms like persistent cough and fever until the disease takes a more severe form.
Delays in detecting TB and following it up with treatment are dangerous, since they also put everyone around the patient at the risk of contracting TB.
But, we have not lost the fight against TB. It is easily preventable and with proper treatment, completely curable. Post-treatment, patients can continue to lead normal, fulfilling lives. Free-of-cost TB treatment is also easily available at all government hospitals and clinics.
Since patients often need two to three months before they can return to work, particularly during this time apart from medicines, what they desperately require is emotional support and care from their family and friends.
However, due to age-old misconceptions and undue fears, families, friends and coworkers shun TB patients, leaving them more or less alone to grapple with the long duration of the treatment.
It is not surprising that, in this scenario, many patients are unable to complete their treatment course.
It is in our collective interest that TB patients get all the support they require so that they are fully cured, thus not only benefiting that one patient but also preventing the disease from spreading further in the society. Before more lives are needlessly lost or damaged due to TB, we need to sit up and realise our role as citizens in India's fight against TB.
Let's pledge to end ignorance and misconceptions about TB. Let "Each One, Teach One" be our motto to ensure TB doesn't go unspoken and unheard anymore.People remember me from the epic Mahabharata television series, where I played the role of Karna, the valiant warrior. This "reel" life character taught me the importance of persistently fighting against all odds.
I believe the fight against TB calls for a similarly unwavering approach.
The government of India has declared its intention to eliminate TB by 2025. The nation calls upon each one of us to lend our support and make this vision a reality. TB Harega Desh Jeetega!