My name is Maltildah Chilufya, I am 30 years old and a mother of one child aged 11yrs old. I stay with my parents in Wusakile Compound in Kitwe district. Being one of the beneficiaries under DAPP TIMS, a project working towards contributing to the reduction of the TB burden in the mining sector in Southern Africa countries.
My Health started failing in June 2017, when my health was on and off due to sickness. This resulted in me visiting the clinic for almost three times but nothing seemed to change. I had been looking forward for a change since I had stopped working due to the sickness. Every time I went to the clinic I would be given Septrin, an antibiotic which was not making any change in my health and I continued feeling sick.
Until one morning, in July 2017, as I was pondering on what I could do next, I just saw someone wearing a red T/Shirt with words written on it TIMS entering into our Yard. I welcomed her, I later asked her whom she was looking for. She introduced herself as coming from an organization named DAPP/TIMS working with Ministry of Health at Wusakile clinic and went on to say she that was screening Miners, Ex Miners their Families and Community for TB. She shared with me information about TB, its transmission, prevention and treatment.
After our discussion, through my approval, the visiting Field Officer counselled me. As we discussed further, I realised that I had some symptoms that could be as a result of tuberculosis, such as loss of weight, feeling tired, cough and body weakness. In my explanation, I shared with her that this was the health problems I had and allowed the Field officer to collect sputum that was later taken for testing at Wusakile clinic. To my surprise, the results come out smear positive and thereafter I was commenced on treatment. I am glad to state that after a period of one month and three weeks, I observed that my health changed as was able to do things that was not able to do and started feeling strong. In short, my health improved greatly.
Therefore, Matilda went ahead to say, “I am thanking the people running the program (DAPP TIMS Zambia) for helping me learn more about TB and I am only asking them to continue doing the same in other clinics helping the people be diagnosed with this problem of TB.”
With my health getting back to normal, I can look after my boy and ensure that he has a better future. My appeal to members of the community is that sharing our problems with others can ensure that we are directed towards the right places for support.
