Tuberculosis (TB) often carries with it social and economic consequences. Ani leads the umbrella organization for TB survivors in Indonesia and she works to support TB patients not only to achieve recovery, but also to find new livelihood opportunities. 

“As a TB survivor, I experience first-hand the economic impact of the disease because of the long and difficult treatment. I myself had to quit my job as a faculty member at a university in Surabaya. This experience has opened my eyes that the impact of TB is beyond just health.

As member of REKAT Surabaya, a local TB survivor organization, I coordinated fundraising to provide food supplies for families of patients. We also support survivors to identify new livelihood opportunities, for example, selling food or producing clothes, and we support with funding so they can realize their business ideas. Also, some of the patients live in a very crowded setting, and therefore we advocate to the local government to provide them with better housing.

Currently, I am the Vice-Chair of Indonesia TB Survivor Organization Association (POP TB) and we continuously work to raise awareness on TB. I have also just been selected as a member of the steering committee of TB Women, a new organization affiliated with Stop TB in Geneva.  In this role, I will support TB Women’s work to promote gender equality and human rights in the TB response.”