Good health is the most important requirement for leading a fulfilling life. It is a prerequisite to attaining one’s full potential, which translates into social and economic benefits for the entire community. India is a country where great disparities exist, and millions are deprived of access to critical amenities such as affordable healthcare. This leaves a large section of our population vulnerable to infectious diseases such as tuberculosis.

In December 2014, the municipal corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) launched the ‘TB Harega, Desh Jeetega’ campaign to create awareness about TB prevention and control. When i was approached by MCGM to be the ambassador for this campaign, i felt it was my duty towards my fellow Indians to be involved.

I too had endured the challenges of facing the disease and the discipline and difficulty of the stringent adherence that the treatment regimen requires. At the launch of this campaign, i was finally able to speak out in public about my experience with TB.

Our government and authorities have worked hard to reduce the burden of TB. The revised national TB control programme (RNTCP), which operates through 4,00,000 directly observed treatment short-course (DOTS) centres all over India to provide free diagnosis and treatment, ensures that the Indian health system is continuously building itself to tackle the huge burden of TB.

TB has debilitating effects. It can lead to a prolonged and possibly bloody cough, weight loss and weakness, low grade fever and an overall deterioration of a person’s health. The need to create awareness is paramount as TB can be fatal if left untreated. Being an infectious and highly communicable disease, TB’s spread puts the well-being of the entire community at stake.

There was a time when TB-infected patients were ostracised because of the unavailability of drugs and therefore the assumption that they could not be cured. Today, modern diagnostic tools and advanced treatment regimens can diagnose and cure patients completely.

In 2000, i was diagnosed with TB during the shooting of Kaun Banega Crorepati. The treatment did not stop my work and i continued shooting for this show. Modern TB medication has developed to an extent that allows us to continue with our daily routine with minimal hindrance.

It was at this time that it truly struck me that although we tend to look West for advanced medical care, we have some of the best doctors and facilities available in our own country. I was lucky to have the support of a fantastic team of physicians, and of course my family and friends. I was also fortunate enough to have had the wherewithal to know when i needed to seek medical care, and to deal with the consequences of the disease as well as its treatment. I am fully cured today.

During my treatment, i understood the importance of adhering to the prescribed course of medication in order to be cured successfully. Non-compliance, for various reasons, has led to the development of drug-resistant strains that are difficult to cure as they demand longer and more expensive regimes. Rise of drug-resistant forms is a major cause for concern.

Latest data from RNTCP shows that there are 64,000 drug-resistant cases in our country. Treating drug-resistant TB costs at least Rs 1,00,000 and this treatment continues for two years in comparison to Rs 500 for treating the drug susceptible form of this disease. This needs to be addressed as the increase in the number of drug-resistant TB patients is a dangerous trend for our population and a huge financial strain on the public exchequer.

TB is a preventable and curable disease and we must spare no effort to take our country towards the target of zero TB deaths. The need to create awareness is paramount as timely diagnosis can only arise when the public is aware of the symptoms. Mobilising the whole community to work together to create awareness about the disease’s prevention and treatment will go a long way in reducing its burden.

A huge number of TB-infected people come from the poorer sections of society. During the launch of the campaign, i urged people from the film fraternity and those more fortunate to step up to provide the weaker sections with the means to fight this disease by offering support of different kinds, be it financial or otherwise.

Successive governments have worked with a certain zeal and commitment to eradicate polio and the same kind of determination is visible in the TB programme launched by government. Although there were a number of obstacles in eradicating polio, our combined efforts ensured that our target was reached in eight years.

India’s victory against polio was a moment of great pride for me, and i am happy to have played my small part in that historic campaign. As we now focus on making our shores free of TB, i hope to be part of another historic achievement that helps the people of our country lead healthier and happier lives. I pray that our dream of TB Harega, Desh Jeetega becomes a reality very soon!