The Human Face of Drug-Resistant TB in Pakistan
In the heart of Gujranwala, 17-year-old Mafeefa Naveed battled an illness that stole her energy, appetite, and social life—multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB). Initially misdiagnosed and given ineffective medications, Mafeefa’s condition deteriorated as her persistent cough, fever, and weight loss intensified. Only after a GeneXpert test confirmed MDR-TB did her treatment truly begin—an 18-month journey involving daily medications with harsh side effects. Her resilience was fueled by the care she received at a Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) clinic, where access to quality drugs, nutritional aid, and psychosocial counseling formed the backbone of her recovery.
Like many TB patients in Pakistan, Mafeefa faced not only physical suffering but also social stigma. Friends distanced themselves, and even her schoolteachers suggested she remain at home. Yet, supported by her family and MSF’s counseling team, she refused to give up on her education or her future. “I feel like I’ve got my life back,” she said after completing treatment. Her story reflects the wider reality for thousands of DR-TB patients in Pakistan—misunderstood, often invisible, and in desperate need of both care and compassion.
A similar tale of courage unfolded in Punjab’s Kasur district, where Ayesha, a young mother, was among the first in Pakistan to receive the shorter BPaL/M treatment regimen for XDR-TB. Unlike traditional therapies that lasted up to two years with painful injections and toxic side effects, Ayesha’s treatment spanned just six months—all oral medication. This regimen, made available through a project by the Association for Social Development (ASD), was a game-changer. She regained her strength, resumed her household responsibilities, and cared for her children without the physical and emotional toll of prolonged hospitalization.
The BPaL/M program represents a new era in DR-TB treatment. Pakistan was one of the first countries to pilot the WHO-endorsed regimen, and results have been overwhelmingly positive: 95% of the initial cohort completed treatment successfully. Ayesha’s experience shows how innovation in treatment—when paired with community-based support—can dramatically improve outcomes. For her, the simplicity and reduced duration of the regimen were life-saving. “The medicine didn’t just cure me—it gave me back my dignity and my role as a mother,” she shared.
These stories are not isolated cases but rather examples of what is possible when policy meets patient care. They illustrate the urgency of expanding access to diagnostics, affordable medication, and comprehensive support services. Both Mafeefa and Ayesha succeeded because they were part of programs that put the patient at the center—offering not just pills, but hope, encouragement, and dignity.
As Pakistan confronts the growing threat of drug-resistant TB, these human experiences must guide the national response. The disease may be microscopic, but its impact is massive. However, with the right tools and compassion-driven policies, Pakistan can ensure that countless others, like Mafeefa and Ayesha, don’t just survive—but thrive.
