More than 10,000 Bulakenyos recover from TB
CITY OF MALOLOS – Based on the Provincial Health Office-Public Health’s records as of May 23, 2017, there were 10,997 Bulakenyos that were cured from Tuberculosis (TB), 8,563 of which were treated in 2015 and the 2,434 were cured in early 2016.
The said report was announced during the Healthy Lung Month celebration with the national theme “Stop TB: Hanapin, Gamutin, Pagalingin” and provincial theme “TODA: Todo Kontra TB” held at Don Caesario San Diego Municipal Gymnasium in Plaridel, Bulacan recently.
Also, the report says that in 2016, there were still 843 who are Multi Drug Resistant (MDR), 2,130 TB Clinically-diagnosed TB Cases, 85 new cases and 82 deaths.
Meanwhile, Dr. Jocelyn Gomez, PHO-PH head, announced that the province has a Gene Xpert facility which can detect TB easier and faster. Through this facility, more Bulakenyos will be aware if they have TB before it worsens.
Department of Health Assistant Secretary Dr. Enrique Tayag also came to the event and never fails to wow the crowd with his dance moves as a way of promoting a healthy lifestyle and combating deadly diseases.
The so-called “Dancing Asec” encouraged the Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association (TODA) who were the target audience and partners in combating TB being in the public transport to dance with him not only to highlight the benefits of exercising but to emphasize the benefits of having healthy lungs.
“Araw-araw 13 Pilipino ang namamatay dahil sa sakit na tuberculosis. Mababa na ito dahil nung mga nakakaraang dekada 70 ang namamatay kada araw dahil dito. Ngunit hindi tayo pwedeng tumigil dito kasi isang milyong Pilipino pa rin ang may sakit nito at sa pagtataya pagsapit ng 2040, nasa 40 porsyento na ang MDR o multidrug resistant, mas matagal at mas mahal na gamutan,” Tayag said.
The assistant secretary also disclosed that the government is losing P8 billion to TB.
“Gumagastos ang gobyerno ng P1.2 billion sa gamot pa lamang. Imagine P1,500-P4,000 ang gastos kada tao sa anim na buwang gamutan at kapag MDR P250,000. Nananatili itong sakit ng kahirapan, malaking pasakit sa katawan at sa bulsa,” Tayag added.
He also underscored that the medicine supply for TB is sufficient for every patient and is free and will remain free.
“Pipigilan na po ang pagbebenta ng anti-TB drugs, lahat po ng gamot ay manggagaling na sa pamahalaan. Ang pagkontrol sa TB ay magiging kontribusyon ng inyong asosasyon,” Tayag said to the TODA members.
Aside from dancing for health, Asec. Tayag together with Vice Gov. Daniel R. Fernando and the Bulacan Multi-Sectoral Alliance against TB, a provincial task force established to fight TB, led the installation of anti-TB tarpaulins on tricycles and distributed information, education and communication materials.
“Ipagpatuloy natin ang kampanya laban sa TB. Ang may magandang kalusugan ay isang kayamanan dahil kahit marami kang pera kung hindi ka naman malusog wala din. Saan mapupunta ang pera?” Fernando said.
Dominic Alegria from PHO-PH also discussed the Executive Order 26 s 2017 or the National Smoking Ban entitled ‘Providing for the Establishment of Smoke-Free Environments in Public and Enclosed Places’ that was issued by Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte and took effect last July 23, 2017.