Aftab*, like any 3 year old child was playful. One day he fell down after which he couldn’t stand on his feet. His parents rushed him to the nearest hospital where they were told that he has a disability and should accept him with it. His mother was flabbergasted because Aftab* was walking all this while until he fell down. She wanted reasons for his condition but no doctor was able to answer. Whichever doctor they visited, they were asked to conduct x-rays  but a diagnosis could not be made.

Finally, one doctor asked them to do a MRI which costed Rs. 20,000. Aftab’s* father, a painter by profession, could not afford the fees. It was their family friends and relatives who collectively contributed for the MRI after which they found out about Aftab’s* diagnosis which was spinal TB. They went to one of the renowned private hospitals in the city but the medicines didn’t do him any good.

When he came to MALC, his lower limb was paralyzed. We could see the pain in his eyes. He had fever and was constantly crying. Once his TB treatment was started, within few weeks he started taking baby steps; first with support and then finally on his own. “What a joy it was to see him walking again” said Aftab’s mother with watery eyes. Today, Aftab* is TB free.