Desalegn’s Journey with TB Diagnosis and Recovery
Desalegn, a 26-year-old security guard from Addis Ababa, was living a busy life balancing work and family when an unexpected illness brought everything to a halt. Originally from Gedio in Southern Ethiopia, Desalegn’s resilience and dedication to his health — and a surprising ally in the form of a trained APOPO TB Detection Rat — helped him through one of the most challenging periods of his life. Read his story in his own words:
“Six months ago, I started having a cough that wouldn’t go away. I tried antibiotics, but nothing changed. I just knew that something wasn’t right with my health, and it worried me. I went to a private hospital where they did all sorts of tests — even a CT scan — but they couldn’t find the cause of my illness. At that time, I had no idea that tuberculosis (TB) was something that even existed in Ethiopia.
It was a confusing and scary time. I had to stop working for two months and went back home to Gedio to be with my family. My parents are farmers, growing coffee and corn, and they supported me through that period. I was lucky to be on sick leave and still getting paid, which helped me get the kind of food I needed to support the TB treatment — things like eggs, milk, and meat.
The medications weren’t too bad. There were some side effects like changes in my urine color and a bit of stomach upset, but after just two weeks I started to feel better. I had to walk 30 to 40 minutes each day to get to the clinic to pick up my medication. From Monday to Friday, I’d go daily, and on Fridays I’d collect the doses for the weekend.
Even though I didn’t feel stigmatized, I chose to isolate myself — for the sake of other people. I started wearing a mask initially because of COVID-19, but now I know it also helps prevent the spread of TB. I’ve been telling people about it, especially if they show symptoms.
The most surprising part of my story? I found out it was actually a rat that helped diagnose my TB. Honestly, I used to have very negative feelings about rats. But now that I know they played a role in finding out what was wrong with me, I’ve changed my attitude completely.
Today, I’m happy and healthy. I just finished taking my full course of medication this month. My wife, who works in the federal police, wasn’t around when I was diagnosed, but she’ll be coming to visit in ten days. I’m looking forward to spending time with her and focusing on my future. I’ve just completed grade 12, and now I dream of studying IT and getting a better job. Life is moving forward — and I’m ready for it.”
