From Struggle to Strength: A TB Survivor’s Journey
High up in the remote hilltop village of Katraka under PHC-Adava, life is shaped by distance and hardship. For Raghaba Nayak, a 45-year-old daily wage earner, these challenges became life-threatening. A persistent cough, fever, chest pain, and severe weight loss weakened him day by day. Yet, the nearest health facility was far away, and poor road connectivity made travel nearly impossible. For a man who depended on daily labour to feed his family, losing even a day’s income meant hunger. His illness remained untreated, hidden in the hills, as he struggled silently.
Hope arrived when MAMTA Outreach Worker Sujit Nayak visited the village during a community outreach program. Observing Raghaba’s condition, Sujit recognized the signs of tuberculosis. Instead of asking him to travel, Sujit collected his sputum sample right at the village. The sample was transported to the designated laboratory, and the diagnosis confirmed pulmonary TB. This simple act of doorstep care bridged the gap between isolation and treatment, ensuring that geography and poverty did not decide his fate.
Raghaba was immediately linked to the health facility for treatment initiation. To strengthen his recovery and ensure adherence, MAMTA provided a monthly nutrition support kit - atta, dal, peanuts, and mustard oil. Alongside this, he received counselling on cough hygiene, nutrition, and the importance of completing his medicines. Regular follow-ups and supervised treatment gave him confidence and encouragement.
Over six months, Raghaba’s life transformed. He regained his strength, completed his treatment, and returned to his livelihood. His journey is more than a story of recovery - it is proof that with timely outreach, compassionate support, and holistic care, even the most hard-to-reach patients can overcome barriers.
Today, Raghaba stands as a symbol of resilience and hope. His recovery shows that when health systems reach the last mile, lives are saved, families are protected, and communities grow stronger.