As 49-year-old Mary Nduku approached the gates of Machakos Level 5, her quiet and nervousdemeanor concealed the intense battle she had been waging against tuberculosis (TB). The mother of three from Machakos had to abandon her entrepreneurial ventures to confront what would become the greatest challenge of her life. Her ordeal began in January 2022, when she experienced pneumonia-like symptoms, sometimes accompanied by high fever and body weakness, reminiscent of malaria. Seeking relief, she visited a health facility, where she was treated for pneumonia and sent home. However, the prescribed medication did little to alleviate her symptoms. When a persistent cough developed, Mary returned to the facility, where a sputum test confirmed her TB diagnosis. Contrary to expectations, she felt relieved to have a definitive diagnosis. Her doctor prescribed a six-month treatment regimen and stressed the importance of strict adherence. Unfortunately, Mary struggled to follow the regimen as directed.
“I was overwhelmed by the medicine at times! The side effects became too strong for me,” she lamented. As Mary neared the end of her initial treatment, she developed a cough again, surprising both her and her doctor. A quick test revealed that she had been reinfected with TB. Under questioning from her doctor, Mary admitted she had not fully adhered to the treatment. She was prescribed another six-month course of TB medication, but her health continued to deteriorate. She found it increasingly difficult to walk and lost significant weight. Alarmed, her doctor referred her to Machakos Level 5 Hospital for further evaluation. Her worsening cough and chest pains signaled that something was seriously wrong.
At the hospital, Mary underwent a sputum test and chest X-ray. In September 2022, she received a diagnosis of Drug-Resistant TB (DR-TB), a revelation that left her stunned and anxious about the prospect of yet another round of treatment. “I was angry and even doubted whether I’d get a better outcome from undergoing DR-TB treatment. I had taken the drugs for quite a while, and this made me hopeless,” she added.
County TB & Laboratory Coordinator Johannes Ndambuki explained that it is not uncommon for DR-TB patients to have a history of incomplete TB treatment.
“Most of these DR-TB cases had perhaps started treatment but along the way defaulted due to the severe side effects from the TB drugs they take,” he explained.
Despite her initial reluctance, Mary began taking the DR-TB medication. Gradually, hope began to return as her health showed signs of improvement. In the early stages of her treatment, Mary weighed just 58 kg and struggled with even basic physical tasks. However, with her family’s support, especially her sister-in-law, and the encouragement she received from TB support groups at the hospital, her condition steadily improved. She regained weight, and her attitudeand optimism grew stronger. After 21 months of treatment, Mary was finally cured.
While the World Health Organization (WHO) promotes the development of a new six-month regimen drug for DR-TB patients, Mr. Ndambuki advocates for a shorter treatment regimen to help patients better tolerate the side effects.
“We deal with so many loss to follow-up cases, and there’s a way we can reverse this! Let’s help them cope with this treatment and reduce DR-TB incidence,” he urged. He also highlighted the troubling increase in TB cases among children who have been in contact with infected patients. Mary, now grateful for the lessons learned during her treatment, shares her experience withrenewed vigor.
“I now weigh 73 kg and feel stronger and healthier. I’ve even started going about my business activities,” she professed, her eyes radiating enthusiasm. She acknowledges the unwavering support of her doctors and expresses gratitude to the government for providing TB treatment drugs at no cost.
“I never thought I’d recover, but here I am!” she conceded. Reflecting on her journey, Mary urges those diagnosed with TB to remain steadfast in their treatment. She dispels the myth that TB is incurable, highlighting the vital role of nutritional care and adherence to medical advice.
A significant shift in the management of Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis (DR-TB) in Kenya began on July 1, 2024, with the introduction of a new, shorter treatment regimen. Spearheaded by the Ministry of Health through the National TB Program, in collaboration with partners such as CHS USAID TB ARC II, this initiative focuses on capacity-building for TB health experts across all 47 counties. This transition to a new regimen positions Kenya to make substantial progress in combating DR-TB and improving patient outcomes.
At the hospital, Mary underwent a sputum test and chest X-ray. In September 2022, she received a diagnosis of Drug-Resistant TB (DR-TB), a revelation that left her stunned and anxious about the prospect of yet another round of treatment.
“I was angry and even doubted whether I’d get a better outcome from undergoing DR-TB treatment. I had taken the drugs for quite a while, and this made me hopeless,” she added. County TB & Laboratory Coordinator Johannes Ndambuki explained that it is not uncommon for DR-TB patients to have a history of incomplete TB treatment.
A significant shift in the management of Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis (DR-TB) in Kenya began on July 1, 2024, with the introduction of a new, shorter treatment regimen. Spearheaded by the Ministry of Health through the National TB Program, in collaboration with partners such as CHS USAID TB ARC II, this initiative focuses on capacity-building for TB health experts across all 47 counties. This transition to a new regimen positions Kenya to make substantial progress in combating DR-TB and improving patient outcomes.
