by Rene V. Carbayas
LAMITAN CITY, Basilan, Aug 29 (PIA) – The Lamitan
City Health Office recently inaugurated the TB Dots Center last August 15 that
would jumpstart the intensified campaign of the government to eliminate
tuberculosis disease in this part of the country.
In a press release, City Information Officer
Felipe Fernando said that the setting up of the center was timely as the
country observes National Tuberculosis Awareness Month this August with the
theme “TB-free Philippines: A continuing challenge from Childhood to
Adulthood”
On behalf of City Mayor Roderick H. Furigay,
City Administrator Danilo Alvaro shared and stressed the need to inform TB
patients not to be humiliated and feel outcasted as “Tuberculosis are curable
nowadays,” he said.
Fernando reported that Lamitan City had
registered 86 patients of Tuberculosis during the first two quarters this year
but some of the patients are coming from the nearby municipalities of Tuburan,
Tipo-Tipo and Sumisip.
He said that the city is grateful for the
support of the TB Linking Initiatives and Networking to Control Tuberculosis
(LINC), a USAID program that helps support the National Tuberculosis Program. Dr. Teodoro Yu of TB LINC said the program assists
Rural Health Units to fast track accreditation of TB DOTS Centers as well as
organizing the Local TB Councils tasked to monitor and improve medical
capabilities.
Moreover, the 1st Lamitan City TB Council was
immediately convened at the Cawley’s Square, Lamitan City after the
inauguration. The TB Council is a multi-sector alliance with the aim of
preventing TB cases in Lamitan City. Mr. Eugene Caccam, also of TB LINC
presented a briefer and input on the Lamitan Strategic Plan.
The council also holds the oath taking
ceremony which was inducted by the City Administrator.
Meanwhile, PhilHealth Manager Genevieve Nuñal
said that the application of Lamitan City TB DOTS Center is already approved on
the day of their submission. “The center may now accept TB patients with PhilHealth
membership whether employed in government, private, self-employed or in the barangay.
And the center will be self-sufficient that can generate revenues to augment
their needs particularly on related medical equipment,” she said.
City Health Officer Dr. Vicente P. Yu III said
that with the accreditation, the center will be the choice in Tuberculosis
treatment because the city government is giving free medicines for the entire
TB medication period of six months.
Also present during the inauguration were Marida Perez
RN of the National TB Program, Provincial Health Office; health personnel; barangay
officials and health workers; Lamitan Pharmacy Association; and other non-government
organizations and representatives of the TB LINC, Dr. Romeo Fernandez and
Sthepanie Dela Cruz. (FP-CIO Lamitan/RVC-PIA9ZBST)