By Sarah Njie
Drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) continues to pose a major public health challenge, with health experts and civil society organisations calling for increased awareness about its leading causes and the need to address stigma associated with the disease.
Speaking during a radio talk programme on Ocean City Radio Limbe, Ray C. Nji of the civil society organisation KENKO Foundation emphasised the importance of public education in dispelling myths and misconceptions surrounding drug-resistant TB.
“There is a need for public education to dispel myths and misconceptions about drug-resistant TB. Raising awareness can help communities understand that DR-TB is treatable and that patients who adhere to medical treatment can recover fully and continue living normal lives,” he said.
Despite being preventable and curable, many people diagnosed with TB still face discrimination, fear, and social isolation within their communities. This situation further complicates their lives, especially as many patients already struggle with the physical symptoms of the disease and the economic burden caused by inability to carry out daily business activities.
A former drug-resistant TB patient, identified only by her first name, Delphine, who participated in the radio programme, recounted her experience with stigma.
“When I told my friends I was being treated for drug-resistant TB, they isolated me, and this was a very challenging period for me. Even when I explained to them over the phone that I could no longer infect them because I was up to date with my treatment, they always made excuses whenever I tried to meet up with them,” she said.
Health experts explain that drug-resistant TB often develops as a result of improper use of TB medication, incomplete treatment, skipping prescribed doses, delayed screening, or lack of proper follow-up during treatment.
During the programme, Mr. Anicestus Suireng, focal point for drug-resistant TB at the National TB Control Programme, stressed the importance of treatment adherence.
“The key to combating drug-resistant TB is proper treatment. It is therefore important to ensure that patients complete their treatment. If you have a friend or relative on TB treatment, encourage him or her to complete treatment because the wrong use of medication, incomplete treatment, skipping doses, delayed screening, or lack of follow-up during treatment are some of the causes of drug-resistant TB,” he explained.
Health advocates say stigma remains one of the biggest barriers preventing people from seeking early diagnosis and treatment. In many communities, individuals living with TB are often misunderstood, avoided, or wrongly perceived as dangerous. As a result, some patients choose to hide their condition or delay visiting health facilities, which can contribute to further spread of the disease.
They maintain that increased awareness, community support, and accurate information are essential in reducing stigma and encouraging more people to seek timely diagnosis and treatment.
