Health workers to undergo short course on TB

CEBU, Philippines - Health centers in Mandaue, Lapu-Lapu, and Talisay City are among the 12 local government units in Central Visayas that has inked an agreement with the Department of Health’s Center for Health Development-7 (DOH-CHD-7) for a short course on tuberculosis directly observed treatment.

Jagobiao and Tipolo Health centers of Mandaue, Pajo Health Center in Lapu-Lapu City, and Talisay City along with Toledo City, Boljoon, Balamban I and II, Daanbantayan II, Cebu Province, Mabolo and Luz Health Centers of Cebu City, Liloan, Danao City, and San Fernando signed a MOA with DOH recently at the Sarrosa Hotel.

TB DOTS is a comprehensive strategy endorsed by the World Health Organization (WHO) and International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases (IUATLD) to detect and cure TB patients.

Also, 10 checks totaling P900,000 were also awarded to 10 LGUs and health centers of Central Visayas for the construction and enhancement of DOTS facilities to be endorsed by the mayors, treasurers and heads of health units.

The recipients are Cebu City Health Office, Cebu Provincial Health Office, San Francisco, Cebu City Medical Center, Sogod, Medellin, Negros Oriental, Bais City, Mabinay, Guihulngan, and Bindoy.

Jocelyn Tabotabo, nurse coordinator of the National TB Program here said that of the 6,222 smear positive cases in the region last year, a cure rate of 88 percent was recorded.

Tabotabo said that overall, there were about 13,578 cases of TB in the region with 56 deaths in 2012.

Most of the TB patients are male and more than 50 percent are regular smokers which is why the Department of Health has also been aggressive in its no-smoking campaigns.

The Philippines was ranked no. 7 by the World Health Organization (WHO) as one of the 22 countries that carry much of the burden of tuberculosis cases, said Anden.  (FREEMAN)