Iloilo City wins nat’l anti-TB award

• Source:http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=2&rid=898365
• Friday, June 24, 2016

(PNA), PGL/PR/CBF

ILOILO CITY, June 24 (PNA) -- Iloilo City won the Manuel L. Quezon Achievers’ Awards given by the Department of Health (DOH) during its 2016 Bayani ng Kalusugan ceremony in Manila June 23.

Mayor Jed Patrick E. Mabilog stressed the citation is another manifestation of the city’s efficient and effective delivery of public health services by providing easier access and bringing them closer to the constituents to avail of the treatment.

The national anti-tuberculosis (TB) award recognized the city’s effort and commitment towards achieving a TB-free country in the near future.

It is given to outstanding local government units (LGUs) and individuals who provided support and utmost dedication to DOH Tuberculosis Control Program through resource mobilization, advocacy and health human resource resulting to improvement in quality of service delivery and patient care at Directly Observed Treatment Short-Course (DOTS) facilities.

DOH acknowledged the vital support and assistance of LGUs and health partners involved in TB program resulting to reduction of cases.

Health centers here are implementing DOTS which provides free anti-TB drugs to patients.

DOH said TB is preventable and curable, thus no one should die of this disease by availing proper medication.

TB patients only need to submit themselves for treatment regularly and religiously take medications as a proven strategy to ensure the completion of cure.

Under the program, patients are required to take four kinds of drugs for six months.

Health workers must be proactive to seek patients and provide proper counseling and needed medication. An intensive follow up can ensure the progress of patient.

DOTS can prevent new infections among children and adults, stop resistance to anti-TB drugs and is cost-effective, noted DOH.

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

TB, an airborne ailment transmitted through bacteria-infected droplets from coughing, sneezing or spitting, is one of the Top 10 major killers with 75 Filipinos dying of the lung disease daily with five deaths per minute, according to medical records.