Not realising these were signs of leprosy, her father tried giving her many different medicines but sadly there was no improvement.
After a visitor recommended she attended the local healthcare centre, she was officially diagnosed and given a course of multidrug therapy to cure her of the disease.
Tohmina’s diagnosis impacted the whole family. Her father found the news particularly hard to accept which significantly impacted his mental health. Misconceptions about leprosy added to the prejudice; her elder brother was so afraid of catching the disease that he evicted her from the family home.
Tohmina went on to marry a fellow patient, Asir, and the pair were given financial support from hospital authorities.
Following their treatment, the couple returned to the family home, but Tohmina’s brother once again rejected her even threatening her husband.
Outcast, the couple travelled to another part of the district. They rented several homes but due to prejudice, they were repeatedly evicted.
In April 2023, Lepra staff successfully supported Tohmina and Asir to apply for a government-sponsored home.
Tohmina still experiences recurring ulcers and pain in her hands and feet but Lepra staff taught her self-care practices to help alleviate her symptoms.
The couple have a 13-year-old son, Toufik, who cares for them.
“Toufik helps in many ways. When my ulcers get bad, and I’m sick, he cooks, helps in the washroom, goes to the medical centre, and does other household chores.
Since moving out of the city, the family's income has reduced meaning Tohmina and her husband can no longer afford private tuition for Toufik.
"I sometimes feel very stressed out about my son's future, but the Bogura Federation of people affected by leprosy are helping us apply for financial assistance."
With Lepra's support, Tohmina and her family are now living in comfortable accomodation, managing the symptoms of their condition and are more optimtistic about their finanicial future.
