BAGUIO CITY – Health authorities reported that there were some four thousand eight hundred twenty five tuberculosis cases in the Cordillera since last year that warrants vigilance among the people to prevent further increase of the illness.
Nurse Joycelyn Rillorta explained the two types of Tuberculosis: Drug Susceptible Tuberculosis (DSTB) and Drug Resistant Tuberculosis (DRTB). DSTB requires a six-month medication plan using first-line drugs, while DRTB demands a more prolonged treatment, ranging from six to eighteen months, depending on the severity. “DSTB ang gamutan nito usually is six months pero dapat iniinom mo siya religiously para di ka babagsak sa Drug Resistant TB, diyan natatapos ang pasyente na hindi tumapos ng gamotan.”
Based on the data obtained from the Cordillera office of the Department of Health (DOH-CAR), there were some 4,766 DSTB cases and 59 instances of DRTB. Baguio City had the highest number of DSTB cases, with 1,318 and 25 cases of DRTB.
Rilloerta underscored that TB is curable, and medications are provided free of charge in both public and selected private hospitals.
“Nagagamot po ang Tuberculosis, libre po yan sa pampublikong gamutan at saating pribadong gamotan. May mga kasama po tayong private hospitals at clinis na nagbibigay ng libreng gamot para sa tuberculosis,” she stressed.
Preventing TB involves simple yet effective measures such as covering the mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing, practicing personal hygiene like regular handwashing, avoiding smoking and vaping, and getting regular lung screenings.
The Department of Health has set ambitious targets for TB screening, testing, notification of cases, and preventive treatments in 2024. Among these goals is the implementation of a Tuberculosis Mobile Clinic equipped with artificial intelligence for efficient X-ray screening.
The Tuberculosis Mobile Clinic is a groundbreaking initiative that addresses healthcare accessibility issues in communities where healthcare is scarce. The mobile clinic, equipped with AI capabilities for quick X-ray results, will tour the entire Cordillera Region.
“Yung mobile clinic or mobile van, nakakapag x-ray po yan through artificial intelligence, pag nag pa x-ray kayo diyan, may result in kaagad tapos irerefer, magagamot then ieenroll then magagamot. Yang mobile clinic na yan ay iikot sa buong Cordillera Region,” she explained.
Nurse Rillorta shared that when they started the TB mobile clinic in the convention center, there were already a total of 162 chest X-rays examined, revealing some positive results. “During the event in the convention center, may na x-ray tayo na 162 tapos may lumabas na positive yung mga nag positive na yon nirerefer namin sa RHU para yung mga doctors na ng magbigay ng proper treatment ng pasyente.”
“Key participants nung mobile clinic x-ray is mga drivers, mga construction workers yung tinarget po natin kasi sila talaga yung prone for the tuberculosis,” she added.
Despite some pending documents with the FDA, the TB caravan has already started its scheduled visits to different parts of the region. The TB caravan, taking place from March 1 to March 27, will target various locations in Cordillera,
Notably, World Tuberculosis Day 2024 will be commemorated on March 12 in La Trinidad, Benguet, and March 13 in Baguio City.
The efforts of the Department of Health in the Cordillera Administrative Region reflect a comprehensive approach to tackling the challenges posed by Tuberculosis. From robust treatment plans to innovative initiatives like the Tuberculosis Mobile Clinic, the region is making significant progress in combating this deadly disease and ensuring a healthier future for its residents. By Jackielyn Reyes
