A Story of Struggle and Victory: Sardor and His Family

USAID’s TB Free Uzbekistan program helps TB patients  through teams of outreach workers, psychologists, and social workers.

In January 2024, a team assembled in Uzbekistan's Syrdarya region under USAID’s TB Free Uzbekistan program. Their goal? Tackle tuberculosis (TB) head-on. This multidisciplinary team included outreach workers, a social worker, and a psychologist.

Meet Sardor from Syrdarya, Uzbekistan, a local construction worker whose life took a drastic turn when he moved abroad for a job opportunity in 2022. The poor living conditions, unhealthy lifestyle, and harsh weather there left him constantly ill, prompting a return home where he was diagnosed with a form of TB that is extremely drug-resistant and difficult to treat.

Struggling with the stigma and the mental toll of his diagnosis, Sardor faced more challenges when his family life crumbled. But thanks to the tireless efforts of TB Free Uzbekistan’s multidisciplinary team, led by a psychologist and a social worker, Sardor was slowly brought into a support plan that addressed both his mental and physical well-being.

Even during tough moments like hospitalization due to treatment complications, the team didn't give up. They ensured Sardor's family was also screened for TB, unfortunately revealing his mother's diagnosis too. Rather than let it defeat them, they faced the challenge together, supported by TB Free Uzbekistan’s multidisciplinary team.

Since the start of 2024, TB Free Uzbekistan teams in the Syrdarya region have checked  about 2,050 people for signs of TB, including 550 labor migrants.

Beyond medical care, the team facilitated financial assistance and disability allowances for Sardor, ensuring he could focus on his recovery. Now, Sardor and his mother are on the path to healing, demonstrating the power of comprehensive care and teamwork in overcoming health challenges.

Their journey showcases the importance of personalized, collaborative approaches in healthcare, particularly in addressing complex issues like stigma and social support. And it's all made possible through initiatives like USAID’s TB Free Uzbekistan, driving positive change in communities.