DOH-Caraga spearheads National Tuberculosis Awareness Month celeb

BUTUAN CITY, Sept. 7 – The Department of Health (DOH) Caraga spearheaded this year's celebration of the National Tuberculosis Awareness Month in Caraga region.

DOH-Caraga Regional Director Ariel I. Valencia the celebration of the National Tuberculosis Awareness Month aims to better inform the public and reiterate the facts surrounding Tuberculosis. "By spreading awareness and appropriate information, we hope to decrease if not, eradicate the social stigma which hinders our citizens, afflicted by such disease, from accessing and completing treatment."

“With the celebration of the National Lung Month and the National Tuberculosis Awareness Month, let us collaborate and coordinate our efforts to spread awareness of Tuberculosis and other illnesses that affect the lung. Also, I would like to reiterate the effects of smoking and the hazards it brings to the user and the greater hazard it presents to the population exposed to second and third-hand smoke,” said Valencia.

Based on the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Facts on Tuberculosis (TB), 2011: 8.7 million fell ill with TB; 1.4 million died from TB, including 430, 000 people living with HIV (PLHIV); 70, 000 children died due to TB globally; TB is the leading killer of PLHIV; TB death rate decreased by 41% since 1990; 80% of reported TB cases occurred in 22 countries; Multi-Drug Resistant TB (MDR-TB), due to inappropriate or incorrect TB Drugs, do not respond to the standard TB treatment and is difficult to treat; there is an estimated 630, 000 people with MDR-TB; 51 million TB patients have been successfully treated since 1995 worldwide.

Of the 3,134 cases of TB in Caraga in 2011 who accessed treatment from various institutions including RHUs, BHS’, Public-Private Mix DOTS (Directly Observed Therapy – Short Course), 92% or 2, 885 were cured with proper treatment and support from their significant others; while 2% of the cases or 63 individuals died.

In 2012, a total of 3, 228 new smear positive cases were recorded. 171 were screened with Multi-Drug Resistant TB (MDR-TB), of which, 24 were enrolled in the treatment program. 3 of the 24 cases died; and 1 default (stopped) treatment.

Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by a bacteria, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, that most often affect the lungs. It is spread from one person to another through the air when infected people cough, sneeze or spit. TB is manifested by cough, possibly with bloody mucus, fatigue, shortness of breath, weight loss, slight fever that usually occurs in the afternoon, and night sweats. TB is confirmed by Direct Sputum Smear Microscopy (DSSM) which detects the acid-fast bacilli, Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Tuberculosis is curable and preventable. Treatment modalities are provided by the government through the Hospitals, RHUs and DOTS Centers to address the needs of people infected by TB. However, stigma and discrimination prove to be the primary barrier for these persons to access treatment. (DOH-13/PIA-Caraga)