TB Volunteers Transformed Malumbo Jere's Life
When Malumbo Jere, a 45-year-old resident of Mubekwa Village in Mzimba district, began experiencing fatigue, breathlessness, night sweats, and weight loss in December 2023, he and his family initially suspected foul play, attributing his symptoms to witchcraft. Consequently, they decided to borrow money from friends in the community and promptly embarked on a journey to consult a traditional healer in one of the most remote areas of the district.
Upon consultation, the traditional healer validated the family's apprehensions and prescribed various herbal remedies for Jere, promising a quick recovery in a matter of days. However, to their dismay, Jere's condition deteriorated significantly. Fearing the worst, both Jere and his loved ones lost hope as his health continued to decline.
"It reached a point where I could cough out blood. Everyone including myself thought I was going to die as they all had lost hope. Mind you, all this was happening while i was still taking the traditional medicine, " explained Jere.
The escalating concern surrounding Jere's health prompted the local tuberculosis (TB) volunteer to visit him. Following a thorough discussion, Jere consented to undergo testing for both TB and HIV, with the results confirming TB infection exclusively.
"I started TB treatment in January this year and every two months, I was being screened to find out how I was responding. By the grace of God, by June, I was completely TB free and now am back to my mobile carpentry business with full force.
"If not for the TB volunteer, I would not be here to tell my story. Currently, am in the process of moulding bricks so that by this time next year, I move out of my mother's house where I have been putting up throughout my illness, " he said.
Expressing his gratitude, Jere acknowledged the important role played by the TB volunteer in his recuperation, emphasizing that without their intervention, his survival would have been uncertain. Currently, he is focused on brickmaking to secure his independence and transition from residing in his mother's home, where he sought refuge during his illness.
David Ngoma, a volunteer at the Ekwendeni A Sputum Collection Point, detailed his involvement in Jere's recovery, which encompassed regular home visits to provide comprehensive support and ensure adherence to the prescribed medication regimen. Furthermore, Ngoma highlighted the importance of community education on TB prevention measures, such as adequate ventilation in households and maintaining a safe distance when caring for an infected individual.
"In addition to having reliable modes of transportation like Buffalo bicycles, umbrellas, and bags, it is crucial for us to ensure that we are well-equipped to navigate through various weather conditions. The bicycles will allow us to travel long distances efficiently, while umbrellas will protect us from sudden rain showers or scorching sun rays. Moreover, having bags to carry essentials will make our journeys more organized and convenient, " he explained.
TB Officer at Ekwendeni Mission Hospital, Christopher Munthali cited a 100% treatment success rate in the year 2023 and a notable increase in case detection efforts. The collective efforts resulted in a marginal rise in TB cases from 105 in 2022 to 113 in 2023, indicating progress in the ongoing battle against TB.
In recognition of World Vision Malawi's commitment to combating TB in the region, Acting Sub-Traditional Authority Yohane Jere expressed appreciation for their efforts while advocating for enhanced training programs for local leaders and volunteers to foster more effective collaboration in eradicating TB from the area.