In it together: Battling TB as a caregiver

19 September 2024

In South Tangerang city, 36-year-old Fitri juggles life as a freelance worker, wife and mother of four children, while caring for her husband, Anggun, who is undergoing treatment for tuberculosis (TB).

When over-the-counter medicine failed to relieve Anggun’s respiratory symptoms, Fitri convinced him to visit the local primary health care centre (puskesmas). There, Anggun was diagnosed with TB, sending Fitri’s mind racing. "I was worried about myself and my children catching it," she recalls.

Fortunately, Fitri quickly learned that she and her children could access TB preventive treatment (TPT), a crucial measure for protecting both individuals and the wider community from the disease.

Since 2012, Indonesia has implemented a national TPT programme, which initially targeted people living with HIV. However, in alignment with WHO guidance, the programme has since expanded to include all household contacts of bacteriologically confirmed TB patients, like Fitri and her children.

As the primary caregiver, Fitri ensures Anggun takes his medication, while also following a preventive drug regimen for the rest of the family, with ongoing support from TB programme and puskesmas staff.

Photos and words by Fieni Aprilia, Digital Communications Officer, WHO Indonesia

WHO/Fieni Aprilia
Fitri welcomes Nurse Lala, a TB Programme Officer, and Yuli, a TB cadre, into her home in Ciputat Timur, Tangerang. Their visit is part of a contact investigation process.

Regular checkups

Fitri welcomes Nurse Lala, a TB Programme Officer, and Yuli, a TB cadre, into her home in Ciputat Timur, Tangerang. Their visit is part of a contact investigation process aimed at screening family members to ensure that Fitri's household continues to receive support and regular health checkups as they manage life with tuberculosis.

WHO/Fieni Aprilia
Yuli and Lala from Puskesmas Ciputat Timur visit Anggun and Fitri's home to screen the family for TB symptoms and assess their risk. During the visit, they also check that Anggun is adhering to his anti-TB medication regimen.

Family screening

Yuli and Lala from Puskesmas Ciputat Timur visit Anggun and Fitri's home to screen the family for TB symptoms and assess their risk. During the visit, they also check that Anggun is adhering to his anti-TB medication regimen.

WHO/Fieni Aprilia
"The children are very close to their father, so it's hard to keep them away. When he comes home, they immediately gather around him, which worries me," remarks Fitri, as Anggun plays with their youngest child.

Strong bond

"The children are very close to their father, so it's hard to keep them away. When he comes home, they immediately gather around him, which worries me," remarks Fitri, as Anggun plays with their youngest child.

WHO/Fieni Aprilia
When it comes to her own treatment, Fitri ensures everything is scheduled. "For me, it's easy [to take the TB preventive drug] because it's just once a week. You just need to remember the time. Make it easy to remember and stick to the schedule.”

A weekly routine

When it comes to her own treatment, Fitri ensures everything is scheduled. "For me, it's easy [to take the TB preventive drug] because it's just once a week. You just need to remember the time. Make it easy to remember and stick to the schedule.”

WHO/Fieni Aprilia
In their daily routine of managing tuberculosis treatment, Fitri and Anggun rely on each other to keep track of their medication schedules.

Supporting each other

In their daily routine of managing tuberculosis treatment, Fitri and Anggun rely on each other to keep track of their medication schedules. Fitri takes her preventive treatment once a week, which she finds manageable if she stays consistent with her routine.

WHO/Fieni Aprilia
Anggun and his son wait at the TB clinic, a regular visit for the family to monitor their health and track the progress of their treatment.

Monitoring progress

Anggun and his son wait at the TB clinic, a regular visit for the family to monitor their health and track the progress of their treatment.

WHO/Fieni Aprilia
Fitri comforts her eldest daughter, Carissa, at the Puskesmas as they wait for Carissa's Mantoux test. The test identifies TB infection and will guide the next steps of Carissa’s treatment.

Comforting presence

Fitri comforts her eldest daughter, Carissa, at the Puskesmas as they wait for Carissa's Mantoux test. The test identifies TB infection and will guide the next steps of Carissa’s treatment.

WHO/Fieni Aprilia
On days when Fitri is exhausted from caring for the children, the kids step in to help, bringing their father water to take his medications. This shared family effort ensures that everyone stays on track with their treatments.

Shared family effort

On days when Fitri is exhausted from caring for the children, the kids step in to help, bringing their father water to take his medications. This shared family effort ensures that everyone stays on track with their treatments.

WHO/Fieni Aprilia
Fitri and Anggun stand with their four children in front of their home in the densely populated area of Ciputat, Tangerang.

In it together

Fitri and Anggun stand with their four children in front of their home in the densely populated area of Ciputat, Tangerang. They live on the lower level of a shared house with a relative, ensuring proper ventilation. Fitri plays a key role in managing Anggun's medication routine and adhering to the TPT schedule for herself and their children. They support and encourage one another, with the children also contributing to their parents’ efforts in maintaining the family’s health.

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