WHO: Philippines among those with most number of TB cases

CEBU, Philippines – Out of 22 countries identified by the World Health Organization, Philippines ranks ninth in terms of having the most number of tuberculosis cases worldwide.

This was revealed in a forum yesterday with officials from the Department of Health (DOH).

Topping the list is India, followed by China, Indonesia, Nigeria and South Africa. Also in the list are Bangladesh, Ehiopia, Pakistan and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Although curable, an average of 75 Filipinos die everyday because of TB and is identified as among the leading causes of mortality in the country.

Dr. Enrique Sancho, head of the Communicable Disease Center for Health Development- Central Visayas, said that three out of 1,000 Filipinos are infected with tuberculosis.

In Cebu City, at least 53 patients are being treated now for this lung disease, said Dr. Sharon Azenith Laurel, of the Programmatic Management for Drug-Resistant TB- Treatment Center of the South. The DOH has yet to give statistics for this year but last year, Cebu had the highest number of cases in Central Visayas, which is also included in the top 10 regions nationwide in terms of high incidence.

There were more than 7,000 cases in Region 7 last year, and more than 50 percent were in Cebu.

But this may not at all be surprising, considering that Cebu has the highest population among provinces in Central Visayas and has the most highly urbanized cities in the region. Also, tuberculosis is considered as an "urban disease and highly infectious" by the DOH's National Tuberculosis Prevention and Control Program.

The disease quickly spreads among families living in close quarters, Sancho had said.

Tuberculosis is infection of the lungs that could spread to the brain, kidneys, and bones. It is caused by bacteria and is contagious.

The Philippine Government is now making moves to "dramatically" expand efforts to fight the disease by organizing advocacy campaigns.

DOH officials stressed that people experiencing the symptoms should immediately seek treatment. Medicines are available and patients should make sure that they complete the whole range of treatment so they can be totally cured.

There are many TB patients who are not cured either because they stop taking or take irregularly, their drugs. According to the health officials, the long duration of treatment, which is six months on the average, is reason for patients to be remiss in their drug intake. (THE FREEMAN)