My name is Liban and I come from Hilmo village in Somalia. I never imagined I’d find myself far from home, in a hospital, fighting tuberculosis. But here I am, and I want to share my story.

It started with a sharp pain in my chest. Then came the coughing – relentless, tearing at my lungs. I knew something was wrong, so I made my way to the hospital.

When the medical team said, ‘Liban, you have tuberculosis,’ the words hit me hard. I was devastated. Hopelessness washed over me, and I couldn’t see a way forward.

When I told my family and friends, their faces fell. I hated seeing them like that.

Tuberculosis drained every bit of my energy. In Hilmo, I had a life, a way to earn an income. But coming here [to the Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) hospital] meant leaving that behind.

But as the medication started to help and they saw me improving, their worry turned to hope. That shift – it’s kept me going

THE ROAD TO RECOVERY

Treatment isn’t easy. Every day, I take eight pills: three in the morning and five later. Those morning doses hit me hard. As time passes, though, I feel better – stronger, more like the Liban I used to be.

I’m not alone in this. A nongovernmental organization stepped in with financial support and that’s been a lifeline. My family, my friends and the doctors here, they’ve all encouraged me. Their belief in me makes a difference, more than they might know.

“For now, I’m focused on healing, one day at a time.”

After 40 days, I feel much better. The pain’s dulled, my energy’s creeping back and I’m starting to imagine a future again.

HOPE FOR THE FUTURE

If you’re facing tuberculosis, don’t wait. Start treatment as soon as you can. And while you’re on it, take care of yourself. It’s a tough road, but the treatment works if you stick with it. I’m proof of that. Once I finish treatment, I want to go back to work, rebuild what tuberculosis took from me. That’s my plan, my hope. But for now, I’m focused on healing, one day at a time.