Tubod, Lanao del Norte – Tuberculosis (TB) is the 6th among the top leading causes of mortality and morbidity in the Philippines and kills an average of 75 Filipinos every day. To further improve the performance of the province in the detection and treatment of this deadly disease, the Provincial Health Office in partnership with the Provincial Coordinating Committee conducted a Tuberculosis Symposium on September 7 at the Macapagal Training Center, Tubod, this province.

“We should have a strong immune system. If a person experiences pain in his back and chest for 2 weeks already accompanied with cough and he experiences fever every afternoon, he should have himself check for TB”, Provincial Health Officer Gavina Galbines warned.

Tuberculosis is spread (transmitted) primarily from person to person by breathing infected air during close contact. You don't get TB by just touching the clothes or shaking the hands of someone who is infected. “Prevention is still the best way to fight TB”, Dra. Galbines stressed.

However when a patient is already diagnosed with TB, immediate treatment is very important.  Treatment of active tuberculosis includes a combination of several drugs, including antibacterial and antibiotic medications. Medication treatment can last a long time, as long as six to 12 months, and needs to be taken exactly as directed to be effective in curing tuberculosis. Treatment of tuberculosis also includes ensuring good nutrition and extra rest.

“TB should be taken very seriously because every TB patient has the potential to infect 10-15 persons each year”, Galbines explained.

The symposium was attended by representatives from government district hospitals, private hospitals, local healthcare institutions, rural health centers, and PhilHealth officials.

On the following day (September 8), another symposium will be held for the employees of the provincial government, Sanggunian Panlalawigan members and provincial volunteer health workers. VNL/PIO-LDN