Group of tuberculosis survivors asks government to allot more money to fight the disease

The group was created to provide a forum for patients to tell their stories and strengthen the government’s TB programme

Forty tuberculosis survivors from across the country, who have formed a group called Touched by TB, have called for an increase in budgetary allocations to fight the disease.

The group was formed after the survivors met at a workshop organised by the NGO REACH in New Delhi last month. (HT)

The group was created to provide a forum for patients to tell their stories and strengthen the government’s TB programme.

“Until now, TB patients across the country did not have a platform to share their stories, the challenges they have taken to fight the disease. Also, the community has no voice to initiate talks with organisations that care for TB patients,” said Monica Balani, 42, a TB survivor from Delhi who lost her husband and son to TB over a decade ago.

“The HIV programme is so strong because there is community mobilisation. They are united and can influence decisions at the policy level,” she added.

The group was formed after the survivors met at a workshop organised by the NGO REACH in New Delhi last month. It created five regional level groups- in the north, south, east, west and northeastern parts of the country. They plan to expand across states later.

The members plan to approach the government, asking it to increase the budgetary allocation for the disease. “There is urgent need to pay attention to drug resistant and the budget cuts on TB. We will urge the government to look into it,” said Blessina Kumar, coordinator of the group.