ANALYSIS: Sowetan shines a light on TB-stigma
Kim Johnson
15 March 2012
An article in today’s (15 March 2012) Sowetan recounting the experience of a woman who was cured of extensively drug resistant TB (XDR-TB), is a sensitive and multifaceted portrayal which shines a spotlight on the stigma that people who have TB face while highlighting that TB is a serious but curable condition.
The stigma faced by people with TB is often overshadowed by the concerns over HIV-related prejudice and discrimination.
But by recounting the experiences of Mmaphefo Mohlaoleng and placing the story on page 2, the Sowetan has broken the silence around TB-stigma .
In the article Mohlaoleng recounts how she was called names and even threatened when people discovered she had TB: “People made me look like a living zombie...everyone vowed that if they were found to have TB (presumably because they think she would have infected them) they would kill me”.
The article also emphasises that TB is a curable condition through Mmaphefo’s expression of her happiness at being able to continue her life and follow her ambitions TB-free.
blog comments powered by Disqus
