One of the village cadres assisted by Pundi Sumatra, Yoyo, was diagnosed by a doctor as suffering from tuberculosis. Yoyo was infected by her late father who also had the same disease. For more than two years, Yoyo fought against his illness by taking regular medication given by the doctor. However, last September, Yoyo's condition worsened.
Apart from the cough that wouldn't stop, Yoyo had a fever and complained of chest pain. Treatment has been carried out several times at the community health center, but Yoyo's condition has not improved. Her body became thinner and weaker because Yoyo had no appetite to eat.
Pundi Sumatra, with assistance from the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) Sarolangun, also took Yoyo to the Merangin Regional General Hospital (RSUD). This was done so that Yoyo could receive more intensive care. The facilitator also took care of the administration for Yoyo's treatment, until finally Yoyo had to be hospitalized for three days. On the fourth day, Yoyo was taken back to the residential location and promised to go to the doctor to continue with outpatient treatment.
The results of the examination showed that several of Yoyo's closest relatives also showed the same symptoms. When coordinating with the Limbur Tembesi health center, information was obtained that all this time Yoyo's treatment had never been completed. So the condition does not improve.
Yoyo never continued taking medication that should be consumed regularly. Until he succumbed to the side effects of the drug, which caused stomach aches, headaches and nausea and vomiting. Pundi Sumatra also invited the Yoyo church to ensure a drug consumption control scheme. So that Yoyo can be completed and get healing immediately.
From Yoyo's story, Pundi Sumatra saw that the understanding of the Anak Dalam Tribe (SAD) residents about this infectious disease was still very minimal. SAD people do not understand that tuberculosis bacteria can spread through the air.
A lifestyle and environment that is not clean and healthy is also a factor. Pundi Sumatra, with the support of the Estungkara program, collaborates with PMI Sarolangun and the Limur Tembesi Community Health Center to carry out TB education activities.
This education will later be able to provide knowledge to the SAD indigenous community about TB disease. Also symptoms, ways of transmission and how to prevent it. The aim is to ensure that citizens' understanding of tuberculosis increases, while reducing the stigmatization of this disease.
