Tuberculosis in in the Calcutta Metropolis
People in the Calcutta slums hardly noticed the economic boom in India. People from the rural areas without perspectives looking for work in the metal and textile industries landed in the capital on the river and in the neighboring city, Howrah. The struggle to find a good job is arduous, and only a few find work from which one can live decently. They often occupy cramped quarters (with 7 people living in 10 square meters) without electricity, sufficient potable water, and hygienic sewage and garbage disposal.
It is, therefore, not surprising that tuberculosis is widespread under such bad living conditions in the slums. Tuberculosis is curable, but only when the appropriate medication is taken correctly and long enough – for at least six months, depending on the disease stage.
Help for Women for about the Past Twenty Years
We have supported the St. Thomas Home, a hospital especially for women with severe disease progression, like spinal tuberculosis, eith our partner organisation German Doctors since 2004. The women are treated and cared for on two wards with around 45 beds until they are cured. This usually takes between six and 18 months. An operation is also often necessary.
Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for these women to be cast out of their families after a long hospital stay. That is why a social component is also decisive in our work. Long-term patients learn, for example, to sew to be able to become independent after their discharge.
Preventive measures
We advocate the early identification and treatment of slum residents with tuberculosis. Together with our partners we set up a versatile program publicized by posters, street stalls, informative campaigns with lectures in schools and youth and women’s groups, televisions spots, and handy-push news. Patients in the slums suffering from tuberculosis are identified as early as possible and treated accordingly after screening.
Overview of our aid
- Treatment of women with tuberculosis (in- and outpatient care)
- Operations und physiotherapy when needed
- Training diseased women (sewing, writing, drawing, etc.)
- Connecting the diseased women with state support programs
- Teaching how to identify individuals with tuberculosis
Partners
- St. Thomas Home
- Kajla Janakalyan Samity (KJKS) für Tuberkulose Awareness
Supporters
- Project 36
- pro interplast Seligenstadt