We at The Mueller Health Foundation remain deeply committed to sharing personal stories and giving a voice to TB patients, TB survivors, TB practitioners, and all the friends and family members affected by the disease. We are also proud to continue our support of our HeroRat Tamasha, who has been trained by APOPO, a charity focused on training rats to detect TB in sputum samples across Africa. APOPO has put together a wonderful collection of success stories from TB survivors, and this month, we would like to highlight Rajabu’s story:

Rajabu, a 40-year-old man living in Dar es Salaam, shares the profound impact tuberculosis has had on his life and family. Married with four children under the age of fifteen, he was once the main provider but has been unable to work since falling ill. What began as fatigue, fever, and loss of appetite soon progressed to abdominal pain, prompting him to visit a clinic. After several medical tests, including an abdominal ultrasound, his TB diagnosis was finally confirmed through sputum testing, where one of his samples was analyzed by APOPO’s trained rats. The diagnosis was difficult to accept, marking the start of a long and uncertain journey. Although his TB medication is provided free of charge, Rajabu must walk to the clinic each day, as he cannot afford transportation. The treatment’s side effects, such as dizziness, nausea, and aching joints, are compounded by hunger, as his family often survives on just one meal a day. Since beginning his treatment, Rajabu has noticed gradual improvements: the fever and sweating have subsided, and he feels physically stronger. Still, the social stigma surrounding TB has made it difficult for him to find work, and his family’s financial situation remains dire. He has had to borrow money for food and basic needs, and school fees and supplies for his children are now unaffordable.