‘Go deaf or die’: No one should face such a choice, says TB survivor

13 February 2019 - 06:07
By Suthentira Govender
SA TB survivor Phumeza Tisile is challenging Johnson & Johnson's patent application in India.
Image: Sydelle Willow Smith SA TB survivor Phumeza Tisile is challenging Johnson & Johnson's patent application in India.

When Phumeza Tisile was diagnosed with drug-resistant tuberculosis in 2010, she had two choices: death or deafness.

The University of Cape Town student chose a life of silence.

The harsh treatment, which included being injected with toxic drugs, left Tisile hard of hearing.