New clinic strengthens fight against TB
DAVAO ORIENTAL – Intensifying the fight against tuberculosis disease, a newly completed clinic for TB DOTS (Tuberculosis Directly-Observed Treatment Shortcourse) was recently launched at the Davao Oriental Provincial Medical Center (DOPMC) compound, bringing accessible treatment to tuberculosispatients here in the province.
Funded by the Department of Health (DOH) XI in joint partnership with Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), the facility hopes to make a significant dent in the cases of tuberculosis herein the province and ultimately materialize the Provincial Government’s vision of bringing free TB DOTS Program closer to the people of Davao Oriental.
“With this facility we can cater many TB patients to avail free TB DOTS services,” said DOPMC Chief of Hospital Dr. Ariel dela Cruz.
DOH Region XI Coordinator for the National TB Program (NTP), Evelyn Gelito said, based on the latest TB prevalence survey, thatmore than 30% of the presumptive tuberculosis patients opts a hospital consultation rather than going to health centers and most of these cases not being reported to the program. Making matters worse is that other patientsdo not seek proper treatment, thus,giving them no chance for a cure.
Gelito said that building this TB DOTS Clinic is a right move for the Provincial Government in its bid to win its long-running combat against TB. “We are very optimistic that more TB patients will be given more attention with this new clinic,” she said.
She further lauded the Provincial Government’s commitment to help the people of Davao Oriental in fighting TB as well as the eagerness of the staff who will operate the facility.
Dr. Joy Sanico of the Provincial Public Health Technical Division emphasized that building this facility is indeed very significant in treating this infectious disease, especially thatmulti-drug resistant cases of tuberculosis can occur if the patient neglects to seek proper medical care. “MDR cases do not respond to conventional treatment and are very hard to treat,” she said.
Sanicosaid that the Public Health Office is incorporating sputum collection in their regular medical consultation and outreach programs as part of the efforts in accounting and treating TB patients in the communities. She said they have already started in Barangay Malibago in Cateel, as well as in the Provincial Jail, as mandated by Governor Corazon N. Malanyaon, in an effort to detect and reach all TB patients and treat them.
Sanico laid emphasis that treating this communicable disease requires concerted efforts of all health care providers, both in the hospital as curative and public health as preventive. “The work here will always be integration. We will work hand in hand.”
“With this new facility we will be able to realize our goal of seeing more healthy people and put an end to the stigma of TB.” (PIO DavOr)