Global Health

Reflecting on this week's readings, I am impressed by the links between multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDRTB) and mental health and the significant challenges which they present to worldwide health. I have witnessed the consequences of mental health issues and the horrible impact of MDRTB in my own life and among my peers. Up to the present, mental health has garnered much-deserved acknowledgement and more reverence. People from almost every sphere of activity are affected, including their age, gender, and social status (Farmer et al., 2013).

The combination of mental health with MDRTB forms an intricate interaction in the realm of global health. In essence, it is far harder to treat MDRTB, a tuberculosis type that is resistant to the two most effective first-line drugs. It is a very exhausting condition which also severely impacts one's mental health. Those diagnosed with MDRTB also have to deal with the psychological stress of managing a chronic, potentially lethal illness, not to mention the ailment-specific symptoms and long treatment process.

There is a reciprocal relationship between MDRTB and mental health. On the one hand, the psychological discomfort caused by MDRTB might worsen the initial mental health illness or lead to the development of a new one. MDRTB is usually diagnosed with a lot of ambiguity, and this creates a lot of stress and social isolation, which in turn makes depressing feelings such as hopelessness and despair worse. This was something I had seen when a close friend was told they had MDRTB. She failed to adhere to the laid down medical regimen of treatment and maintain a positive attitude because of the challenging way she suffered emotionally due to her sickness.

Mental health and MDRTB present significant challenges in the field of global health. Mental health conditions continue to be underdiagnosed and undertreated due to low funding, low awareness, and fragmented healthcare systems (Jiang et al., 2021). Discrimination has remained a challenge in accessing treatment, and mental health care is still negligible in many communities. Moreover, just like other diseases, diagnosis and treatment of MDRTB require techniques, equipment, and time that may not be easily accessed or afforded by people living in poverty.

The fight against MDRTB and mental health conditions is becoming increasingly popular throughout the world. Some groups and people never cease their efforts to increase awareness, decrease stigmatization, and provide treatment opportunities for those who need it. To coordinate and offer the necessary and adequate services required by the clients who have TB and other mental disorders, the programs in TB and mental health are fostering partnerships. This week's reading has put me in the right spirit to continue fighting for better mental health care and effective integrated campaigns against tuberculosis. It has enlightened me on patience and courtesy to fellow individuals suffering from infectious diseases and mental health disorders. My reason for seeking this degree is to promote health at the global level and minimize the effects of MDRTB and mental health issues through research, policy formulation or practice through direct patient care.