If you’re thinking about throwing away an old TV, stop! That TV could bring happiness and comfort to someone who really needs it. In the Ternopil region, doctors are encouraging residents to donate their unused TVs to patients in tuberculosis dispensaries. For many of these patients, life is limited to the hospital, and a TV can provide a much-needed escape. The only requirement is that the TV must be functional and no older than 15 years.
Olena Zozulyak, a regional coordinator, explains that many people replace their old TVs with newer models and don’t know what to do with the old ones. “If you have a TV that still works, even if it’s a few years old, consider donating it to the TB dispensary,” she says. “It could make a big difference in someone’s life.”
Ukraine is currently facing a TB pandemic, and the Ternopil region, despite having one of the lowest rates, is not untouched. TB spreads easily through the air, putting everyone at risk. In just 11 months of 2012, over 500 cases were reported in the region.
Tetyana Romaniv, a TB specialist, stresses the need for better awareness. Mobile screening units visit villages, but only a small number of people come forward for tests. “This shows that local leaders and healthcare workers need to do more to educate people about TB,” she says.
Your old TV might seem insignificant, but to someone in a TB dispensary, it could be a source of joy and connection. So, before you throw it away, think about donating it to someone who could truly benefit from it.
