DAET, Camarines Norte (PIA) – The Department of Health (DOH) is appealing to the public to support the fight against tuberculosis (TB) during its launch in Camarines Norte.
Kinakailangan natin ang inyong suporta at tulong sa pagpuksa ng sakit na tuberculosis, hindi po kaya ng health workers, government partners, bawat isa ay may taya,” DOH Bicol Center for Health Development Assistant Regional Director Rosa Maria Rempillo said.
(We need your support and help to combat tuberculosis. As healthcare workers and government partners, we cannot do this alone, each of us must contribute.)
Tuberculosis remains a global health concern, including the Bicol region. The region recorded over 15,000 TB cases, while Camarines Norte had 1,395 cases from January to June this year, Rempillo said.
“Kailangan naming palawakin ang tuberculosis testing awareness at kabilang kayo sa pagpapalagananap na ang sakit ay maaring maiwasan at gamutin sa pamamagitan ng pag alam ng mga sintomas at tuloy-tuloy na gamutan,” she said.
(We must raise awareness about TB testing. You can help by spreading the message that the disease can be prevented and cured through early detection and consistent treatment.)
With the slogan “Para sa healthy lungs, Pa-check ka lungs,” the DOH aims to eradicate tuberculosis in the country by 2035.
TB stalks Camarines Norte miners
Camarines Norte Governor Ricarte Padilla said that tuberculosis is a serious threat in Camarines Norte especially in the gold mining areas.
“We observed that miners don’t eat on time, that is why they are prone to the disease,” he said.
“It is very timely and high time to fight the disease head-on”, he added.
Padilla emphasized the importance of family support in ensuring healthy living, especially for children.
The governor stated that the provincial government’s challenge is to create job opportunities that will enable residents to earn a living and provide for their families.
“Ang tuberculosis ay nakadikit sa lifestyle, poor nutrition at sa hirap ng buhay ng nasa laylayan” (“Tuberculosis is linked to poor lifestyle, nutrition, and living conditions, especially among marginalized communities.”) he said.
Camarines Norte Provincial Health Officer Arnel Francisco emphasized that combating tuberculosis requires a collective effort from all sectors of society and the government.
He asked Padilla and all municipal mayors to allocate additional funds for medicine to address medicine shortages.
Francisco said that agencies, healthcare providers, media outlets, and the public, all have a role to play in combating tuberculosis, and encouraged patients to seek medical treatment.
Patients with tuberculosis can receive free check-ups at Rural Health Units and other government hospitals, he said.
TB is still one of the major causes of preventable death in the World, according to Dr. Rachelle Diezmo, head of Capalonga District Hospital during the “Be Healthy With Me” talk show.
Tuberculosis is an infectious disease caused by TB bacteria or Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a smart but deadly survivor with the cunning ability to evade our immune system.
The signs and symptoms of active TB are coughing, sometimes with sputum or blood, chest pains, weakness, weight loss, fever, and night sweats. TB most often affects the lungs. It can cause serious damage to the lungs and other organs, she said.
She said those with symptoms could have free sputum tests at the Rural Health Units, Camarines Norte Provincial Hospital (CNPH), and Labo District Hospital.
The CNPH, Labo District as well as RHUs of Basud and Jose Panganiban also have gene testing for tuberculosis.
Diezmo advised family members of TB patients to undergo free screenings.
Vence John Quine, 26 years old, who is a drug-resistant TB survivor recalled that when he began experiencing TB symptoms, he immediately sought medical attention at the RHU in Basud, Camarines Norte.
“Apektado lahat, emosyon, nagkaroon ako ng depression, wala na akong confidence sa aking sarili dahil nawalan na rin ako ng trabaho,” he said.
(All are affected, my emotions, I had depression and my self-confidence declined because I lost my job.)
With the support of his family and girlfriend, he was able to complete nine months of medication.
Quine advises the public if they have symptoms, to have it checked, the medicines are free, and that they don’t have to be afraid. (PIA5/Camarines Norte)
(Photo credits: DOH Bicol)
