Noted Tamil actress Suhasini Maniratnam recently opened up about her experience of battling TB and the intense stigma that follows the disease. Suhasini said her diagnosis was kept secret due to self-stigma, and treatment lasted six months. She added that this stigma motivated her to raise awareness about TB.

Reflecting on her experience, Suhasini told The Better India, “I kept my diagnosis a secret due to self-stigma and took medications for six months. It was this stigma that pushed me to work for the community and create awareness about TB.”

Suhasini was diagnosed with TB at the age of six and again at 36. Later, she was diagnosed with multi-drug-resistant TB (MDR-TB), which led to severe weight loss—her weight dropping from 75 kg to just 35 kg—and affected her hearing. Despite these hardships, Suhasini chose not to remain silent, allowing the stigma she once feared to fuel her determination to support others.

In 2020, she joined REACH India, an organisation dedicated to assisting people affected by TB. Her commitment led to the creation of a vast network across seven districts in Tamil Nadu, with over 2,800 members striving to alleviate the suffering of those impacted and spread awareness about the disease.

Today, Suhasini has helped train over 600 TB Champions—individuals who have survived TB and now serve as advocates. These champions work to dispel myths, educate communities, and ensure that no one battles TB in isolation.