Despite increase in cases: DOH assures TB not a big problem in CV

Despite an increase in the cases of tuberculosis in Central Visayas due to an increase in the rate of case detection, the Department of Health offers assurance to those affected that the situation is not alarming because of an "increase in the cure rate of TB".

During the observance of the World TB Day yesterday, DOH regional director Susana Madarietta said that Central Visayas had 4,351 TB cases recorded last year with a cure rate of 89 percent. This may sound bothering as only 19 cases were detected in the previous year. But she said it was also noted that the cure rate was only 74 percent.

Madarietta explained that the increase in cases is attributed to the increase of the case detection rate in the region. But along with the increase in the detection rate is also the assurance of an increase in the cure rate which makes TB "not really a big problem anymore in the Central Visayas," Madarietta emphasized.

"This is because people suffering from TB have already understood it is important to complete the DOTS regimen that we have been implementing these years," Madarietta said.

DOTS stands for Directly Observed Treatment Short course. It is a comprehensive strategy endorsed by the WHO and the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases to detect and cure TB patients.

DOTS has five elements to be fulfilled. These are political commitment, quality sputum microscopy for diagnosis, regular supply of anti-TB drugs, standardized recording and reporting of TB data, and supervised treatment by a treatment partner.

The Philippines is among the 22 TB high-burdened countries in the world, according to the WHO. TB is the sixth leading cause of illness and the sixth leading cause of deaths among Filipinos. Most TB patients belong to the economically productive age-group, from 15 to 54 years old, according to the 2nd National Prevalence Survey in 1997.

Tuberculosis is an infectious disease caused by TB bacteria that primarily affects the lungs. This condition is known as pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB). One may also acquire tuberculosis in the bones, joints, genito-urinary tract, liver, kidneys, intestines and heart called extra-pulmonary tuberculosis.

Tuberculosis is already a curable disease. Patients are prescribed with appropriate regimen to render them non-infectious and cured as early as possible. The treatment for TB is a combination of three-to-four anti-TB drugs in a period of six months. - Jasmin R. Uy/MEEV