STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI: Her world was shattered when she was diagnosed with Tuberculosis (TB) in 2007. Her father and brother were also diagnosed with TB in 2009. But sufferings of close and dear ones woke her up to become determined to fight against the fatal disease and emerge winner.
Pipi Kanu, an Anganwadi worker in Assam is now not only a survivor of TB but also a crusader to eliminate the disease through proper treatment of all patients and creating awareness.
“I used to make frequent visits to the government hospital during the course of my treatment. At that time I witnessed many TB patients suffer due to lapses in treatment. Some even lost their lives,’ Pipi who hails from Kharupetia in Darrang district told The Sentinel on Thursday.
After facilitating the treatment of her father and brother, Pipi reached out to others, and so far, she has helped over 200 TB patients to follow the six-months-long free DOTs treatment.
Pipi is creating awareness about TB through public addresses and interactions with select groups of men and women. She also takes part in awareness camps and encourages religious leaders, panchayat workers and other motivated women to spread awareness about the deadly disease.
A week-long training in Guwahati provided by REACH -- an NGO -- and State Health department helped Pipi to get the required knowledge about the process.
Pipi is now a TB Champion, a designation offered by REACH and the Darrang district TB Cell. She collects details of the patients, visits their houses and encourages them to follow the treatment and the diet properly.
She also visits government hospitals when there is a shortage of medical supplies and puts pressure on them to ensure availability throughout the year.
“The disease often turns fatal among tea garden workers and those living in riverine or char areas due to lack of awareness. I visit their houses and make their family members understand that TB is a curable disease,” Pipi said. Her efforts have yielded results and many are now leading a normal life in tea gardens and char areas.
Samir Jalal, a TB survivor of Neemtoli village in Kharupetia recalls Pipi’s help and support. ‘I am surviving today only because of Pipi’s help. She also counselled my wife about the importance of a protein-rich diet during TB treatment,’ he said.