Non-availability of multi-drug resistant tuberculosis medication in Guyana

Nov 22, 2018 Letters

DEAR EDITOR,

I would like to highlight the above caption. I was diagnosed with multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) this year. Bear in mind, I was never exposed to TB or its drugs before, but I was unfortunate, I contracted this bacteria from a MDR-TB patient.
The treatment includes 6 months of injections,5 days per week and 17 pills, which is very toxic, followed with lots of side effects such as nausea, vomiting, joint pains, a singing sound in your ears, blurred vision etc., and treatment is for 18-24 months.
Medication is given to us six days per week and it should not be missed. People, please understand the TB bacteria is very hard to get rid off and even though these medications makes us feel terrible every day. We also know it is the only medication that can make us survive, and it also cures, so it’s important for us to get our medication every day.
My biggest concern is presently it has been one week and three days since Ministry of Public Health is out of MDR-TB medication.
Editor, I would like to know if these people in offices know about the danger and seriousness of this disease. Yes, I know MDR-TB medications are expensive, but they have to do something very soon. There are new diagnosed cases out there who haven’t started their treatment because of the shortage. These people are walking the streets, and if they are not educated enough about this disease, ask yourself how many innocent people like myself would become infected.

Name withheld

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