Guest blog by Dr. Philipp du Cros, Tuberculosis Programme Advisor, Manson Unit, Médecins Sans Frontières, London, UK.
Mr S. looked calm and somewhat bemused by the commotion. He had twice unsuccessfully undergone standard treatment for tuberculosis (TB) and had been taking antiretrovirals for HIV for over a year—he was used to medications and health workers. But today was different. It was the first day of his multidrug-resistant tuberculosis treatment, and four staff from the international medical aid organisation Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) were crowded into his house in varying states of excitement and nervousness. As Mr S. swallowed the five different medications that he would have to take for the next two years, followed by the injection that he would undergo daily for at least six months, something vitally important had been achieved. Another programme had integrated multidrug-resistant TB treatment into its routine HIV and TB care. But in truth the journey was only just beginning for the patient and the programme. (more…)
