The private sector treats about 70% of TB patients. In this episode, we go to Patna which is successfully running a programme in engaging the private sector to battle TB. The programme links the private sector with the facilities provided in the public sector which helps in standardising the diagnosis and treatment of TB.

Gasping For Breath

How the private sector can help battle TB?

India has the highest number of patients suffering from drug-resistant tuberculosis in the world. However, the access to newer TB drugs which have so far been more effective are not as easily available. The patients are usually given old regimens which are less effective and full of toxic side effects.

Why TB patients aren't getting the drugs they need

In this episode, we travel to Manipur and understand the risks of TB infection with the drug user community. The drug user community has, by and large, been ignored by the TB programme of the country. However because of the risks of contracting other infections such as HIV and hepatitis C, and the use of opioids itself makes a person more vulnerable to TB.

The connection between drug use, HIV and TB

The Joint Monitoring Mission recently visited Kerala and were all praises for its work in TB control with aims to eliminate the disease. In this episode we speak to Dr Shibu Balakrishnan and Dr Rakesh PS, both WHO officers in Kerala who have provided technical support in designing this successful programme. The experts talk about how engaging state health workers and resources optimally helped them work out a strategy that works.

Kerala model of TB control

All it takes is a big box which cannot go unnoticed to stir a conversation about what's in/on it. In Jharkhand, that's what clicked in Hazaribagh district. Faiz Anwar made a box with "What do you know about TB?" written on it and asked for it to be passed on from one shop to another. In a place where TB is considered a curse and isn't something people want to talk about, he says, people now want to know about it and those with TB come to seek for guidance. In this episode, we spoke with Faiz to understand his efforts towards community outreach in the state of Jharkhand.

How one man and a simple box are engaging the community to fight against TB

In this episode, we speak to human rights activist, Allan Maleche from Kenya Legal and Ethical Issues Network on HIV and AIDS (KELIN) which has supported rights of both HIV positive people and TB patients and fought in court. Last month, they were awarded the Kochon Prize at the 50th Union World Conference on Lung Health in Hyderabad. Maleche spoke about how the law can be effectively used to support TB patients.

Tuberculosis and human rights

In this special episode, Suno India editor, Padma Priya, brings an interview with Nandita Venkatesan, one of the founders of Bolo Didi. Bolo Didi led by TB survivors and patient activists Nandita Venkatesan and Rhea Lobo is a sisterhood of women TB survivors who use social media, WhatsApp and telephone calls to connect with and mentor people affected by TB in India.  The first-hand TB experiences of its didis (sisters) inform the support they offer and help people to receive an accurate diagnosis. From advising patients on right diagnosis test to informally counselling them to cope with side effects, this sisterhood of "didis" has so far helped numerous patients across the country. More information on Bolo Didi is available at http://www.facebook.com/bolodidiTB.

Bolo Didi - By the community & for the community of TB survivors

This episode will describe the various problems faced by both patients and doctors in diagnosing TB. TB is tough to diagnose, and the difficulties only compound as the patients still do not have complete access to all the advanced diagnostics when TB is first suspected. With drug resistance increasing in the country, India needs to loosen these systems to ensure proper diagnosis of the patients.

Why TB remains difficult to diagnose

In this episode, we historically trace the importance of nutrition for the treatment of tuberculosis which disappeared as soon as the medicines were found for the disease. We talk about the present-day crisis, particularly in Chhattisgarh, where TB patients who are highly malnourished are coming for treatment, and many not recovering well. After repeated advocacy of activists and doctors, the government acknowledged the importance of nutrition in tuberculosis treatment. The government introduced Nikshay Poshan Yojana, where every patient is supposed to get Rs 500 per month. Is that enough though? For more stories like this, you can listen on www.sunoindia.in (http://www.sunoindia.in/) . Also follow us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/sunoindia.in) , Twitter (https://twitter.com/SunoIndia_in) or Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/sunoindia.in) .

The crucial link between malnutrition and TB

Bad housing is one of the major drivers in the spread of TB. In this episode, we talk to experts on how it was the non-medical interventions such as better housing and nutrition which pulled down the TB epidemic in Europe, not medicines as much. We also met a family in Mumbai who had three cases of drug-resistant tuberculosis in their house in a span of three years.

How TB thrives in India's airless homes

"A new drug to treat tuberculosis -petromanid- was approved by the USFDA last week. In this special episode of the podcast, we speak to Leena Menghaney, South Asia head of Médecins Sans Frontières'  Access Campaign to understand the implications of this new drug for India's TB patients.

New FDA approved drug to take on the deadliest form of Tuberculous

This episode talks about the emergence of drug-resistant tuberculosis in India. This emergence coincided with the launch of Directly Observed Treatment Shortcourse or DOTS programme in the late 90s. This programme completely ignored the treatment for complicated drug-resistant tuberculosis. The treatment for this form of TB is much harder and the cure rates lower. The problem of drug-resistant tuberculosis in some parts of the country has reached the proportion of a public health emergency. For more stories like this, you can listen on www.sunoindia.in (http://www.sunoindia.in/) . Also follow us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/sunoindia.in) , Twitter (https://twitter.com/SunoIndia_in) or Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/sunoindia.in) .

The rise of drug resistant tuberculosis in India

In this first episode of 'Gasping for Breath', India's first podcast on state of tuberculosis and it's treatment in India, we go back in time to understand the emergence of this deadly disease. Menaka Rao, senior health journalist and host will also tell you about the wild myths surrounding the disease. In the early 19th century, the only recourse was staying in a sanatorium for years or more. Then the cause of the disease was found - a tiny bacteria and the focus of doctors turned towards killing the bacteria. But do medicines and technology alone help control the disease.

Decoding the spread of TB and its cures

Gasping For Breath is a deep-dive reported narrative podcast series on tuberculosis in India. It is India's first podcast on tuberculosis hosted by senior health journalist Menka Rao

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Gasping For Breath

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