Khadija had never known too much about TB until her neighbour came down with the disease. In the process of helping her neighbour, she came to learn about the DOTS mechanism, and about TB in general. It’s been ten years since she played the role of DOTS provider to her neighbour, and since then, she has regularly worked as DOTS provider to more than 20 patients.

khadija

 

 Mrs Khadija; photo by: REACH

“Being a DOTS provider isn’t as easy as it sounds,” she says,  “A lot of times, people discontinue medicines, take to alcohol…there’s all sorts of problem for the patient to deal with during those 6 – 8 months and in that time, the DOTS provider will also have to act as a counselor and a friend to the patient. Without that sort of support, being a DOTS provider becomes meaningless.”

Turning DOTS provider just happened by chance, she says, but the satisfaction that serving the community in this way brings her far greater returns. “I feel very happy that I am able to help TB patients complete treatment. It gives me great happiness to watch them get well and move on with their lives. And I’ m happy to be a small part of this vast network of private and public stakeholders who fight against TB in India.”