KALIBO, Aklan – The Provincial Health Office (PHO) of Aklan logged more than 2,800 cases of tuberculosis (TB) last year, with males aged 15 to 65 appear to be the most infected.
TB is caused by bacteria (Mycobacterium tuberculosis) and it most often affects the lungs. It is spread through the air when people with lung TB cough, sneeze or spit. A person needs to inhale only a few germs to become infected.
The PHO conducted active case findings in Numancia and Kalibo towns to systematically screen people or presumptive TB cases with mobile digital chest X-ray.
To ensure the provision of quality TB public services, Directly Observed Therapy (DOTS-TB) public health facilities of Numancia, Banga, Tangalan, Madalag, New Washington, and Dr. Rafael S. Tumbokon Memorial Hospital are licensed and accredited by the Department of Health through the regional office for the integrated patient centered TB care.
All or most of the TB cases are referred to the DOTS facilities where trained health care workers provide the prescribed drugs and monitor the community-based treatment to help reduce the catastrophic cost of TB-affected families.
TB remains one of the world’s deadliest infectious diseases and is the leading cause of death for people living with HIV.
In 2022, Western Visayas registered 31,152 TB cases. Of this number, Aklan recorded 2,887 cases. The incidence rate of TB in the region this year is also increasing.
TB cases are curable, often treated with antibacterial medicines and can be prevented with protocols such as screening, vaccination and making sure individuals who are infected by TB bacteria finish their treatment./PN
