SAN JOSE, Occidental Mindoro (PIA) – The treatment success rate for tuberculosis (TB) increased this year due to growing awareness of the disease, Shiela Abeleda of the Provincial Health Office (PHO) of Occidental Mindoro said.
During the Kapihan sa PIA radio interview, Abeleda revealed that this year’s treatment success rate is at 92.86 percent, which is higher compared to the previous year’s 89.55 percent, attributing the hike to the public’s growing knowledge about the disease and its treatment.
“Mas maalam na rin po [ang publiko]…kung papaano nila pagagalingin ang [kanilang] sarili. Mas adherent na sila sa treatment ngayon unlike po dati na marami tayong mga hindi nagtutuloy-tuloy ng gamutan,” Abeleda explained.
(The public is more aware of how they can treat themselves. They are more adherent to treatment now compared to previously where a lot of people do not finish their treatment all the way through.)
Another factor that contributed to the reduction of TB cases in the province is the regular conduct of case detections by the PHO through mobile X-rays and rapid tests called “Gene Xpert.”
Courtesy of Abra de Ilog LGU, the conduct of TB active case finding in Abra de Ilog using mobile x-ray equipment spearheaded by PHO Occidental Mindoro
“Isa po sa mga best practice ng province ay mas madali na po silang nakakapag-detect ng sakit na TB kasi mayroon na po tayong Gene Xpert na ginagamit…kaya na po natin mag-detect ng mga MDR na TB o yung mga drug resistant na TB,” Abeleda explained.
(One of the best practices of the province is having Gene Xpert that enables easier detection of TB. We can now detect MDR TB or drug-resistant TB.)
She emphasized that through early detection, patients can be treated as soon as possible and also prevent the disease from spreading.
There are four Gene Xpert sites in the province located at Occidental Mindoro Provincial Hospital in Mamburao, Sablayan District Hospital, San Jose District Hospital, and the Lubang Rural Health Unit.
Currently, 3,005 individuals in the province have been examined for TB as of June 2024, of whom 1,387 are diagnosed with the disease and enrolled for treatment. This figure is lower compared to last year.
Dr. Karl Eugenio of PHO underscored the importance of an annual check-up, including regular X-rays to detect TB early.
“About mga 80-90 per cent [ng TB ay] nade-detect [through] x-ray, so maganda…every year man lang, nakakapagpa-xray tayo. Baka nami-miss natin ‘yong mga pasyente na…mayroon na silang TB na hindi agad nagmamanipesto ang sintomas and during that time, marami na silang nahawaan,” Eugenio said.
(About 80 to 90 percent of TB can be detected through X-rays, so it is advantageous to undergo an X-ray annually. We might miss patients who potentially have TB without manifestations of symptoms and during that time, the virus has spread to others.)
TB is a disease caused by a bacteria called Mycobacterium tuberculosis that settles in the lungs once inhaled and can move through the blood to other parts of the body. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), this disease can be fatal if not treated. (DSG/PIA MIMAROPA – Occidental Mindoro)
