Dilrabo is from western Tajikistan used to work and take care of seven family members – three sons, her sister and her parents. But a couple of years ago she contracted tuberculosis and couldn´t work anymore. She searched for medical help, but after being twice poorly diagnosed and treated with the wrong drugs, her condition deteriorated significantly. Fortunately, her mother helped her to find quality care in Machiton hospital, a facility supported by Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF).

“It was all clean and the conditions were super good. The nurses were so nice. When I was hospitalized, I heard that two of my sons got sick as well. I was shocked. I couldn’t open my mouth and eat my medicine for two days. The world became dark in front of my eyes. I wanted to die. I didn’t want my sons to suffer the same as me.”

Once her health condition got better, she went back home and continued her treatment there. She was enrolled in the MSF family observation therapy program, which enabled her and her sons to take medicine at home and also to access other support that MSF provides – such as food or materials for art activities.

While she faced many difficulties, Dilrabo was able to follow her treatment and be cured. MSF staff, including Nasiba, a nurse, supported Dilrabo.

“Taking pills was so difficult. I used to take 21 to 23 pills, some of them were very big. I used to sit, cry and vomit. I used to cry in front of doctors whenever they came to see me. ….

For more than three years, I was taking pills. But for the last few years, I am like a healthy person. I eat ice cream, I drink soda, I go swimming every two to three days. I am not on a diet. I´m feeling pretty good. …Now I can see these beautiful days again. I want people not to be weak, but to be strong. I want them to take their medicines,” she says. “They will see the benefits in the future.”