Tuberculosis in Nepal: Why and how stakeholders should improve their action

Jiv (name changed for privacy reasons), a 25-year-old labour migrant from Nepal, had been working in Qatar for three months. But his time abroad ended abruptly when he was sent back to his home due to health issues.

Upon his return, Jiv visited a private hospital where he was diagnosed with tuberculosis. However, it is unclear what kind of counselling he received because he opted to purchase medication from a nearby Indian town and self-medicate for six months. He did not follow up with any health workers nor did he disclose his condition to anyone. Eventually, Jiv assumed he had been cured without proper investigations, and life went on.