TACLOBAN CITY, (PNA) — The local chief executive of Silvino Lobos would like the problem on tuberculosis (TB) addressed by 2015 with the crafting of the “Zero TB sa 2015” program.
Silvino Lobos is located in the interior part of Northern Samar and due to problem on accessibility, health issues also arise, according to Mayor Edmund Gillamac.
Under the “Zero TB sa 2015” program, suspected patients will be invited to the clinic for check-up and evaluation. If they refuse to be evaluated, they will be forced to undergo laboratory examination.
Mayor Gillamac said that they need around P1 to P2 million for the upgrading of their laboratory facilities and confinement areas for those who are found positive with TB.
The money for tuberculosis medication will also be taken from the said P1 to P2 million budget, added Gillamac.
Based on World Health Organization record, an estimated 8.7 million new TB cases were recorded in 2011 with an estimated 1.4 million deaths, making this disease one of the world’s biggest infectious killers.
In the country, the WHO noted in its Global Tuberculosis Report in 2012 the decline in TB cases in the past 21 years that boost effort to meet the target of reducing the problem by 2015.
In Eastern Visayas, TB-DOTS clinics were established in almost all areas to help reduce cases as it remains the number one communicable diseases affecting the region.
Based on Department of Health record in 2011, the region has 7,320 TB cases.
Among provinces in the region, Leyte has the highest cases followed by Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Southern Leyte, Biliran and Samar.
In cities, 2011 record shows that Tacloban has the highest TB cases followed by Ormoc, Calbayog and Maasin.