Stop TB Partnership

Indus Hospital showcases photographs and stories by people affected by tuberculosis

14 January 2012 - Karachi, Pakistan - The Indus Hospital has launched a photography exhibition that aims to raise awareness about tuberculosis (TB) and to promote an environment that is supportive of people affected by TB. The gallery showcases photographs and stories by TB patients, their families and TB treatment supporters from the Tasweer-e-Zindagi Photovoice project, funded by the Stop TB Partnership’s Challenge Facility for Civil Society.

Despite the availability of government-provided testing and treatment, thousands of people in Pakistan die each year from TB. We felt that it was important to work with people directly affected by TB to understand the challenges and barriers that they face," said Shama Mohammed, the project director of Tasweer-e-Zindagi.

The exhibition provided an alternative view on the the challenges faced by TB patients. "We’ve been working with TB patients for many years, but we only really think about TB from a medical point of view. These photographs and stories were truly eye opening and examine TB from a very different perspective. It is essential that this perspective be explored by doctors who work with TB patients in order to deliver the best possible care," said Dr. Ejaz Qadeer, National TB Control Programme Manager.

The project participants have drafted a call for action that emerged from the findings of the project. They recommend that the following six steps be adopted in order to create an environment that is supportive of people affected by TB:

• Disseminate correct information about TB among the general population
• Disseminate correct information about TB among health practitioners
• Disseminate correct and complete information about TB among people affected by TB
• Create a supportive environment where people affected by TB are empowered and not stigmatized
• Recognize and counteract the social, emotional, and financial impacts of TB
• Recognize the need to provide communities with basic amenities conducive to good health

The 30 photographs and stories displayed at the Tasweer-e-Zindagi launch are available here.

Photographs from the Tasweer-e-Zindagi launch are available here.