Intensifying the fight against tuberculosis, 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 tuberculosis patients here in the province.
Funded by the Department of Health (DOH) 11 in partnership with Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), the facility hopes to make a significant dent in the cases of tuberculosis in this 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.
DOHÂ Region 11 coordinator for the National TB Program (NTP) Evelyn Gelito said based on the latest TB prevalence survey, more than 30 percent of the presumptive tuberculosis patients opt for hospital consultation rather than going to health centers, and most of these cases are not being reported to the program. Making matters worse is that other patients do not seek proper treatment, thus giving them no chance for a cure.
Gelito said building the TB DOTS Clinic is the right move for the provincial government in its bid to win its long-running fight against TB. “We are very optimistic that more TB patients will be given more attention with this new clinic,” she said.
She 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 said building the facility was very significant in treating this infectious disease, especially since multi-drug resistant (MDR) 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.
Sanico said the Public Health Office is incorporating sputum collection in its regular medical consultation and outreach programs as part of the efforts in accounting for 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.
Sanico said treating the communicable disease requires the concerted effort 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,” she said.
“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,” Sanico added. PIO
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