Tuberculosis: Know, be Aware, Have No Fear

The film was produced  in partnership with the Ministry of Health of Ukraine in March 2015. The video is targeted at representatives of high risk groups, people with signs of TB who should undergo examination, TB patients, and the general population. The video lasts 15 minutes.

The film explains the signs of the disease that require an urgent visit to the doctor, gives useful advice on preventing the disease, and aims to reduce stigma and discrimination towards TB patients and those cured from TB.

It is important to know that tuberculosis is a curable illness. The earlier it is detected, the greater the chance for a fast and full recovery. In the film, people share their personal stories of contracting and overcoming TB; by completing treatment, they are able to live full and active lives. Dr. Oleksandr Kvitashvili, Ukraine’s Minister of Health, is one of the video’s stars who once had a personal encounter with TB. This is the first time that a senior government official has openly said that he has been cured of TB, a fact that is particularly significant considering the prevalence of TB stigma in Ukrainian society.

There is also an extended version of the film, which targets people who have already noticed the signs of TB, and those who have started treatment. This version is recommended for broadcast in health facilities that provide TB services as it includes additional segments, such as the rules of sputum sample collection and TB treatment under direct supervision of a health professional.

The film is based on the materials of the educational video for family doctors “Tuberculosis” shot by the Project in 2014 (ID 337669) , and creates synergy with it by delivering the same important TB messages to another side of doctors-patients dialogue.