By
Dominic I. Sanchez
ZAMBOANGA
CITY - Tuberculosis is a potent
killer. The World Health Organization (WHO) reveals that every day, 75
Filipinos die because of it and 2 million people, or one-third of the human
population all over the world, are afflicted.
Ironically, in spite of these figures, the fact
remains -- TB is very curable, regardless of who gets infected.
Mr. Joselito Cua of the Department of Health (DOH)
here in a forum Friday said that the Zamboanga City Medical Center even offers
free checkups and medicines for patients.
Tuberculosis medication costs P6,000-7,000 for the
ordinary cases. The more serious cases, known as multi-drug resistant tuberculosis
can cost as much as P300,000, covering 24 months of medication.
Cua said the WHO and the Global Fund provided the
government with resources particularly to fight TB, benefitting not only the poor
and marginalized patients but other TB patients as well.
Stigma leads to non-treatment
In Zamboanga City alone, TB is one of the top six
illnesses that cause death and the top 14 cause of illnesses. Dr. Dulce Dagalea
of the City Health Office said this may also be attributed to patients’
behaviour.
“There are people who are ashamed of being diagnosed,
and this is the reason why they are never treated,” Dr. Dagalea said.
In 2012, Zamboanga City registered 88 deaths for
tuberculosis alone. Four high-risk areas were identified: barangays
Talon-Talon, Recodo, Ayala and Campo Islam.
Dr. Dagalea argued that aside from non-diagnosis, the
patients, even after having been advised medication will voluntarily stop
taking medicines at some point.
“Some patients tend to stop their medication after
feeling some sort of relief,” she explained. “The bacteria still thrive and the
relief is just temporary. To completely cure tuberculosis and prevent further
complications, we have to complete the [medication] schedule, which can take
several months.”
Dr. Dagalea asserted that TB patients should have a
“treatment partner”, who religiously monitors the formers’ compliance to the
medication schedule.
All health centers TB-prepared
Meanwhile, Mr. Cua shares that the DOH has been
capacitating local government units down to the barangay level in terms of TB
prevention and cure.
“All our barangay health centers through our health
workers are capable of managing and treating TB, as they are tasked to see to
it that patients are declared cured,” he said.
“But DOH alone cannot fight TB. We need the
stakeholders, particularly those in the communities to have accurate
information on TB and how it can be prevented and cured.”
‘Come out and get cured’
Ms. Miriam Kanti, chairperson of the Zamboanga
Coalition Against TB (ZAMCAT) encouraged patients, or those who are still
suspecting that they are afflicted with the disease to come out in the open and
get proper diagnosis.
“Having TB is not something to be embarrassed about.
It is a disease that can be cured after all,” Ms. Kanti said. She appealed to
the public to be more sensitive – to remove the perception biased against TB
patients.
She advised that people who have been incessantly
coughing for more than a week should already seek medical attention.
According to the US Center for Disease Control and
Prevention on its website, the tuberculosis bacteria usually attack the lungs,
but it can also attack the kidney, spine and the brain. If not treated
properly, TB will kill the patient; every person is a potential carrier.
The disease is spread through inhalation of the virus
from the air after a person inflicted coughs, sneezes, or even speaks. People
who are close by may breathe in the bacteria and become infected.
Dr. Dagalea explained that although generally, sharing
of food and drinks do not spread TB, it should be avoided. She advises for
people to just be mindful of hygiene and sanitation – to simply be careful,
especially when around strangers or in crowded places. Smokers should also
quit, as smoking, although not a direct cause for TB, will put the person in a
higher risk of infection.
August is celebrated as Lung Month. This month’s theme
is “Tuldukan ang TB. Ikalat ang Tamang Impormasyon, hindi ang diskriminasyon.” (PIA9)