Eighteen years ago, Oxana Rucșineanu’s life was turned upside down when she was diagnosed with tuberculosis (TB) at the age of 20. In ward 1 of the phthisiopneumology department of Balti Clinical Hospital in the north of the Republic of Moldova, she battled against a disease that was already at an advanced stage.
“I contracted the disease from a sick relative. At first, I didn’t realize it, but I went to the doctor when the first signs of the disease appeared. The tuberculosis was in an advanced stage: I already had cavities in both lungs,” Oxana painfully recounts.
But after 3 years of pain and suffering, Oxana’s strength and resilience prevailed. With the help of her doctors, she successfully completed her treatment and recovered from the disease.
“I did not want the disease to steal my dreams. So, I was determined to return to life beyond the window of the hospital ward,” she says.
Finding love during gruelling treatment
Oxana had a form of TB resistant to most of the antibiotics available at that time in her country. This resulted in a long and painful treatment process that lasted 3 years.
“I started treatment, but after 4 months, the tests showed that I needed treatment against a multidrug-resistant form of the disease. Unfortunately, at that time, the Republic of Moldova did not have medicines for these forms of the disease,” she recalls.
Just when all hope seemed lost, second-line drugs became available in 2008, and Oxana’s condition began to improve. Her determination and resilience in the face of adversity are a testament to the human spirit.
All was not gloomy for Oxana. During her treatment, Oxana met Pavel, a fellow TB patient. Despite the challenges they faced, they found love and supported each other. They married in 2009 and have since become a symbol of hope for those affected by TB. Today, Oxana and Pavel are proud parents of 2 healthy children.
“Despite the challenges we faced, we never gave up. I want our triumph over TB to serve as an inspiration to all those affected by the disease,” Oxana insists.
Turning adversity into advocacy
Oxana and Pavel’s experiences with TB inspired them to establish the Moldova National Association of Tuberculosis Patients, a nongovernmental organization (NGO), in 2010. The organization advocates for the rights of TB patients, promotes awareness and supports those affected by the disease.
The response to TB has evolved over the years. Thanks to medical and technological advancements, TB diagnoses and treatment have become quicker. Unlike Oxana who had to undergo a longer treatment regimen with injectables, TB patients now have a shorter treatment regimen, with no injections.
“We are working to ensure that TB patients in the Republic of Moldova have access to the required diagnostic and treatment services and get a chance at survival,” she says.
Through the NGO, Oxana collaborates with the National Tuberculosis Response Programme to ensure the provision of quality medical services to all patients. She is also a member of the National Coordination Council of National Programmes for the Prevention and Control of TB and HIV, where she is working with authorities and other stakeholders to address TB and HIV.
Making strides on new TB treatment regimen
The Republic of Moldova became one of the first countries in eastern Europe and central Asia to start implementing short treatment regimens with new medicines for drug-resistant TB. The government is currently working with stakeholders to update the protocols and apply short forms of treatment in accordance with WHO recommendations. The country is also deploying innovative methods for diagnosing TB, which is ensuring prompt and effective identification of those infected.
This effort has been lauded by Dr Petru Alexandriuc, the phthisiology and pneumology doctor who treated Oxana and Pavel, and who has 48 years of experience in treating TB.
“The new treatment regimens are much more useful and effective. Not only because they ensure faster healing by reducing a 2-year treatment to 9 months, but also because they help the person integrate into society more quickly,” says Dr Alexandriuc.
While health authorities work to make diagnosis and treatment of TB more effective, Oxana and Pavel visit patients regularly at the phthisiopneumology ward of the hospital in Balti to offer the emotional support needed to beat TB. Their message is that TB is curable and must not be allowed to destroy people’s lives.
“Anyone can get sick with TB, not just those who live in precarious, socially vulnerable conditions, as is believed. But this disease can and must be cured,” Oxana adds.
Investments crucial for ending TB
Oxana is championing the interests of TB patients in the Republic of Moldova, and she also collaborates with various international organizations, at regional and international levels, including WHO/Europe, to share TB treatment experiences with other countries.
The Republic of Moldova is among the countries with the highest burden of TB in the WHO European Region. The incidence of new and recurrent TB cases in 2024 was 66.3 per 100 000 population (1935 cases) and in children it was 23.2 per 100 000 population (146 cases).
This reflects the overall TB burden in the European Region, where an estimated 225 000 people fell ill with the disease in 2023, with 16 000 people losing their lives. The Region is also significantly impacted by drug-resistant TB, with 1 in 4 new TB patients having drug-resistant TB, and half of those previously treated having multidrug-resistant TB.
Investment in preventive services, testing, diagnosis and treatment of TB are crucial to accelerating progress towards ending the disease.