Before you toss out that old TV, consider this: it could bring joy and comfort to someone in need. In the Ternopil region, doctors are asking residents to donate their unused TVs to patients in tuberculosis dispensaries. For many of these patients, life is confined to the hospital, and a TV can provide a much-needed connection to the outside world. The only condition is that the TV must be in working order and no older than 15 years.
Olena Zozulyak, a regional coordinator, notes that many people upgrade to newer TVs and are left with old ones they no longer need. “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 experiencing a TB pandemic, and the Ternopil region, despite having one of the lowest rates, is not immune. TB is highly contagious, spreading through the air, and everyone is at risk. In 2012 alone, over 500 cases were reported in the region.
Tetyana Romaniv, a TB specialist, highlights the need for better awareness. Mobile screening units visit villages, but only a small number of people show up for tests. “This shows that local leaders and healthcare workers need to do more to inform people about TB,” she says.
Your old TV might seem like a small thing, but to someone in a TB dispensary, it could be a source of comfort and joy. So, before you throw it away, think about donating it to someone who could truly benefit from it.
