Mayors join hands to fight TB

MANILA, Philippines – Municipal mayors nationwide joined hands in an effort to address the problems on tuberculosis.

The local chief executives made their commitment during the recent 2009 General Assembly of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP).

They also planned to tap their constituents and non-government organizations to stir better awareness on TB in their localities.

There are a total of 1,511 municipalities nationwide and most of the mayors signified their commitment to work hard to address TB.

During the assembly, Paombong, Bulacan Mayor Donato Marcos reported that TB cost society P8 billion in lost income annually even if the disease is already curable.

Citing the report of the USAID and the Linking Initiative and Networking to Control Tuberculosis (TB LINC), Marcos said two of every 10 persons with TB die without getting diagnosed and three out of 100 persons diagnosed with TB also die.

Marcos said only three of 10 persons with TB get medical attention since treatment per person costs about P1,900 to P6,500.

The Paombong mayor noted that local chief executives must implement awareness raising campaigns and ensure availability of medicines and reagents.

He also noted that mayors should ensure transport to health workers and patients.

Marcos said every mayor can initiate programs to prevent the spread of TB, like what the municipality of Bani, Pangasinan did — pass a resolution on anti-spitting.

He pointed out that in 2006 a patient in a far-flung town in Sarangani had to ride a pump boat just to get consultation while some had to ride a habal-habal and travel 10 kilometers just to have their sputum examined.

Marcos said other LGUs have established partnership with private organizations to boost their health programs, and other local government units can do the same.

Tuberculosis is an infectious bacterial disease characterized by the growth of nodules (tubercles) in the tissues, especially the lungs. It still causes three million deaths each year in developing countries.

The disease can affect other parts of the body, notably the bones and joints and the central nervous system.