ANCAT serves 1,652 Antique TB patients
San Jose, Antique -- The Antique Coalition Against Tuberculosis (ANCAT) reported a total of 1,652 patients positive of tuberculosis and treated at the local hospitals, health centers and private doctors.
The ANCAT has created a diagnostic committee to review all TB cases referred to both private and public doctors for treatment.
Mila Luareta, Provincial TB Coordinator of the Provincial Health Office said that of the total cases, 905 were diagnosed through an X-ray films while 747 were found TB positive by sputum examination.
The Antique Provincial Health Office is giving priority attention to these cases since TB ranked No. 5 cause of Mortality and Morbidity in the province in 2006.
The Antique has anti-tuberculosis program dubbed at Public-Private Mix DOTS (Directly-Observed Treatment Short Course) or PPMD where both private and public health practitioners work as a team to eradicate TB in Antique. PPMD won the National Excellence Award in 2005 with TB cure rate of 88% and case detection rate of 92.33%.
The Rural Health Unit of San Jose was the pilot area for PPMD supported by the Global fund which provided for financial assistance intended for medicines of patients positive of tuberculosis at the estimated amount of more than P2,000.00 per individual. After a patient is diagnosed through sputum or X-ray examination and found positive of TB he/she is referred to RHU where he/she lives and will avail of TB medications for free.
Despite the fact the only 10 of the 18 RHUs are DOTS accredited and 17 have Sentrong Sigla quality seal, all the RHUs in the province are providing TB medications for free sourced out either from their local funds, PhilHealth and other donors, said Laureta.
To increase public awareness on TB prevention, the ANCAT is spearheading this year's celebration of World Tuberculosis Day on March 24 with the theme:"Kahit Sino, Kahit Saan Tutok Gamutan (DOTS) lang yan" which put emphasis that TB is curable and services are available at the local health centers, hospitals or private doctors.
A caravan will be held in the major thoroughfares of San Jose de Buenavista, Antique's capital town on March 27 in the morning to highlight the celebration to be participated in by local officials, medical practitioners and other stakeholders.
(PIA)