31 October 2008
Nairobi — Titus Kyalo, 36, is receiving treatment in a tent in Kenyatta National Hospital for multi-drug resistant Tuberculosis (MDR-TB) and spoke to IRIN/PlusNews about his life since the diagnosis:
"I was diagnosed with TB on 4 July 2006 after becoming very sick. I went to hospital and I was given some medicine and I received daily injections for five months, but I did not feel better; instead, the drugs affected my liver and I was admitted in hospital for one-and-a-half weeks.
"A culture [test for TB strains] was done and I was told I had MDR-TB. They said it was deadly.
"Luckily, the company I was working for in Mombasa paid for my treatment for the first six months but they stopped because of the expense. My family was really worried; I could not afford to pay for the medicine [the full dosage costs at least US$13,000]. I wanted to go into the forest and be alone.
"I asked around and I was referred to Kenyatta Hospital in Nairobi, where I was told the medicines were free. I moved to Nairobi since it was cheaper and I started receiving treatment at the hospital in April.
"This disease is infectious and I have to take precautions. My wife sleeps in a different room. When we are having dinner, I normally eat first before the others, I also use my own utensils.
"In public, I have to wear a mask, especially in crowded places, like in the matatus [public transport vehicles]. People are not used to the masks, they look at [us] suspiciously and they are scared.
"The daily injections make my legs weak and numb, sometimes I am drowsy and I also have a loose bladder. But I am feeling better; it's not like before."
[ This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations ]
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