Thursday 11 April 2013

TUBERCULOSIS:Phillipines: QC strengthens anti-TB Drive



By Alfred Kristoffer A. Guiang
Saturday 6th of April 2013
QUEZON CITY, April 6 (PIA) -- The Quezon City (QC) government recognized three barangays for their concerted efforts in the implementation of the tuberculosis (TB) program.

The barangays are Barangay Sauyo, which reported the most number of TB cases; Barangay Gulod, which reported the most number of TB referrals and Barangay North Fairview, which reported the most number of TB symptomatic.

According to health experts, TB is a curable disease. However, if left untreated, it can lead to a disabling condition and even death.

Also, partial treatment of cases may cause multi-drug resistance that can lead to non-cure.

Quezon City is forming a multi-sector alliance to promote public-private partnership in the city's continuing drive against tuberculosis.

This is part of the efforts made by the city government to make QC a TB-free community.

To support the implementation of the city's health initiatives on tuberculosis in barangays, a TB core team composed of a physician, medical technologist and a nurse, will be organized at the community level.

A TB task force comprised of community-based volunteers and patient groups shall be structured for the effective and comprehensive implementation of the city's TB care and control program, as provided under an agreement forged by the QC government with the Department of Health – Center for Health Development (DOH-CHD) and World Vision Development Foundation, Inc.

Part of the strategies being implemented was the passage of Ordinance 1845 in May 2008, which provides the adoption of a comprehensive and unified policy for TB control in the city.

The city’s anti-tuberculosis efforts has paid off with the city achieving a better cure rate for TB cases compared with the target set for the national level.

City health department head Dr. Antonieta Inumerable attributed the achievement to the city government's increased funding support to ensure the uninterrupted supply of quality-assured anti-TB medicines and other supplies for TB control activities.

They also made partnerships with different non-government organizations such as TBLINC, the USAID-funded Phil. Tuberculosis Society, Inc. and the Japan Anti-Tuberculosis Agency (JATA) for this.

Statistics provided by the city health department showed that QC was able to attain a better cure rate as compared to the accomplished rate by other public-private TB treatment units in the country.

However, despite improved statistics, the city government continues to adopt new strategies to fight the dreaded disease, which is still ranked sixth (6th) among the ten leading causes of death and fifth (5th) leading cause of illness in QC.(AKG-RJB/PIA-NCR/QC-PAISO) 

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