A few years ago, a family from Donetsk moved to the quiet town of Bershad in Vinnytsia Oblast - a couple and their adult son. They were looking for peace and security here, but instead they encountered new difficulties. They lived in a rented house that barely met even the minimum household needs. There was not enough money for everything: from full-fledged food to medicine. Alcohol became a habitual way to escape from everyday reality.
The woman, let's call her Natalia, was seen by local social workers more than once. Shy, exhausted, she periodically sought advice - but only when she came out of a state of severe alcohol intoxication. She complained of a constant cough, weakness, high fever and rapid weight loss. Despite the obvious danger, Natalia stubbornly postponed a visit to the doctor: she had no money, no strength, and also - no faith that her symptoms could be anything more serious than a "common cold."
Project social workers "You should know about tuberculosis" They first saw her in critical condition when Natalya finally reached a medical facility. After an initial examination, doctors immediately sent her for fluorography, CT scan, and sputum analysis under the state program of free medical services. The diagnosis was a verdict: late-stage pulmonary tuberculosis.
Due to the late treatment, exhaustion, and related health problems, her body could not cope. Natalia died without ever getting a chance for full treatment.
Her child was immediately sent for screening: fluorography, Mantoux, sputum examination. Fortunately, tuberculosis was not detected in her. At the same time, doctors began examining the man who had lived next to the patient for a long time.
This story is not just the tragedy of one family. It is a stark reminder: tuberculosis has not disappeared. It continues to affect the most vulnerable - those living in poverty, social isolation, psychological exhaustion. Timely diagnosis, access to free treatment and support from social services can save lives. But for this to happen, it is important that doctors, communities and social workers act together - carefully, persistently, without looking back at prejudices.
Project "You should know about tuberculosis", which implements Non-governmental organization "Labor and Health Social Initiatives" (LHSI) with the support of The Global Fund via Public Health Alliance, currently operating in six regions. Only in Vinnytsia region for ten months of 2025 (January-October) 414 people were screenedEach such checkup is a chance to detect the disease in time and prevent such tragedies.