Ridalin Shullai, a 33-year-old tuberculosis (TB) survivor from East Khasi Hills, Meghalaya, has emerged as a strong advocate for TB awareness and patient support, drawing from her own harrowing battle with multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB).
Speaking with ANI, Ridalin shared her painful journey—how she initially delayed treatment out of fear of death, recalling how both her father and a close friend succumbed to TB. By the time she sought proper treatment, the disease had taken a severe toll on her health.
“After completing my treatment, I had to undergo medical scans, and the results showed that my left lung had completely collapsed due to the severity of the disease. Now, I am surviving with only one lung,” she revealed.
She described the debilitating effects of MDR-TB, including loss of appetite, extreme fatigue, low hemoglobin levels, and psychological distress. Even after completing treatment, it took her months to relearn how to walk and regain basic strength.
Beyond the physical toll, Ridalin highlighted the social stigma surrounding TB and how it severely impacts patients’ mental health. She recounted a tragic incident where a college student battling TB took her own life due to social ostracization and lack of emotional support.
“She stopped treatment after two months because of the stigma. Her classmates avoided her, and even on the streets, people would turn away from her. The lack of proper counseling made it worse. She once called me and said she couldn’t handle it anymore. The strong medications and social rejection pushed her to suicide,” Ridalin recounted with grief.
Diagnosed with TB in 2015, Ridalin underwent two years of intensive treatment. Since her recovery, she has dedicated herself to counseling TB patients, raising awareness, and fighting stigma. She is an active member of Younite India and a fellow survivor advocate against TB, ensuring that others receive the guidance, medical support, and emotional strength needed to fight the disease.
Her story stands as a powerful testament to resilience and the need for early detection, proper treatment, and mental health support for TB patients. Through her advocacy, Ridalin continues to inspire and educate, ensuring that no one battling TB feels alone or neglected.
