When Hope Knocked the Door

I am thankful to PSI India workers and government, they stood by me when I had no one to turn to. Today, I can dream of working again, of caring for my family.”

For weeks, Mukesh ignored his worsening cough, believing it was just a stubborn fever. He couldn’t afford private treatment, and his weakness grew each day. His wife watched helplessly as their only breadwinner struggled.

Hope arrived when PSI India’s community mobiliser visited Jalpura for routine TB screening. After speaking with Mukesh’s worried wife, they identified the symptoms and provided a sputum collection container. Though the first test was negative, Mukesh’s condition didn’t improve. The mobiliser referred him to the Community Health Centre in Bishrakh, where a Nucleic Acid Amplification Test confirmed pulmonary TB.

Mukesh was enrolled under NTEP and immediately started Anti-TB Therapy. PSI India also assisted him in applying for Nikshay Poshan Yojana to receive monthly nutritional support. The team further coordinated with RAHAM Foundation, which adopted Mukesh as a Nikshay Mitra, providing regular nutrition kits to aid his recovery.

Overwhelmed, Mukesh said, “I didn’t know anyone would step forward for me like this, these kits and support kept me strong when I could barely stand.”

With treatment, nutritional support, and regular follow-ups, Mukesh’s health steadily improved. He completed 56 doses in the Intensive Phase and has now entered the Continuation Phase with renewed strength and hope.

Through PSI India’s TB-Strive project, patients are being reached at their doorstep, connected to free care, and supported to restore health, dignity, and hope in their fight against TB.

Through the TB-Strive project, PSI India conducts community-based screenings, ensures quick linkage to government diagnostic facilities, and supports patients throughout their treatment. The project facilitates access to Nikshay Poshan Yojana benefits and strengthens coordination with government health systems to ensure no TB patient is left behind.