Malabon boosts efforts vs tuberculosis

MANILA, Philippines - The Malabon City Health Department (MCHD) on Thursday announced it is intensifying its efforts against tuberculosis (TB), a respiratory ailment. The MCHD will conduct free sputum examinations and will distribute anti-TB drugs like rifampicin and isoniazid to persons suffering from the ailment. Dr. Billy Goco, MCHD officer-in-charge, said that persons showing usual symptoms of TB are encouraged to submit a mucus sample to all city-operated medical institutions for free sputum testing. The disease’s symptoms include chronic cough with blood-tinged sputum, fever, night sweats, and weight loss. The MCHD chief said sputum test would determine whether the patient is infected with mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacteria that causes TB. Compared to chest x-rays, Goco noted that the sputum test results are more reliable as they rely on actual organic evidence of the disease while x-ray test results rely on the opinion and interpretation of the technician handling the machine. He likewise said that because of medical technology advancements, combining anti-TB drugs in one capsule is now possible. Goco said the medicine will be taken in doses determined by the patient’s body weight. Goco added that the anti-TB drugs are given for free in all health centers in Malabon. The MCHD chief, however, said that even if the disease is easily treatable, the patient’s commitment to complete six months of medication remains the biggest factor in treatment. A World Health Organization (WHO) study indicated that nearly two billion people—one third of the world's population—have been exposed to the tuberculosis pathogen. Every year, TB has affected eight million people worldwide and has caused the deaths of two million. The disease usually attacks the lungs but it can also affect the central nervous system, the lymphatic system, the circulatory system, the genitourinary system, the gastrointestinal system, bones, joints, and even the skin. - GMANews.TV