DavNor TB case detection rate ranks 1st in Region XI

For its efforts to find and cure tuberculosis (TB) patients, Davao del Norte achieved the highest case detection rate in Region XI.
“As of 2009, Davao del Norte is number one in the case detection rate of the region,” said Dr. Eloisa Segura, Region XI National TB Program (NTP) Coordinator who was the guest speaker of the weekly convocation. “You garnered 104 percent” surpassing the target CDR which is 70 percent, she added addressing the provincial government employees of Davao del Norte at the Bulwagan ng Lalawigan, Tagum City.
As defined by the World Health Organization (WHO), “case detection means that TB is diagnosed in a patient and is reported within the national surveillance system, and then to WHO. The case-detection rate is calculated as the number of new smear positive cases notified divided by the number of new smear positive cases estimated for that year, expressed as a percentage.”
However, the detection rate may be high but the “cure rate is still at 77 percent” so there is a need to motivate patients further “to go on treatment,” Segura said.
To achieve higher detection and improve cure rate, there have been DOTS facilities installed all-over the province.
DOTS (Directly-Observed Treatment Short-course), according to WHO, “forms the core of the Stop TB Strategy” that aims “to dramatically reduce the global burden of tuberculosis by 2015.” With these facilities on hand, TB patients can now “benefit from universal access to high-quality diagnosis and patient-centered treatment.”
“Davao del Norte is on the right track in the fight against TB,” said Segura, but “there are still more to discover and I am urging everybody to help as advocates and treatment partners.” This way, we would not just wait for patients to come to DOTS facilities for treatment.
“We continue to support our anti-TB program to respond to the needs of our poor patients,” said Governor Rodolfo del Rosario. “TB as a lifestyle disease will remain to be a potential threat, especially to the youth that are now largely among the 17 million Filipino smokers,” he added with emphasis on smoking being one of the activities that can cause damage to the lungs where TB, which is the 6th leading cause of mortality among Filipinos, primarily affects. 
The convocation sponsored by the Provincial Health Office headed by Dr. Aga Hornido bore the theme, “TB: Isulong ang Laban sa Makabagong Paraan,” which is in line with the World TB Day (observed every March 24) global theme: “On the Move Against TB, Innovate to Accelerate Action.”