The Hunt For Tuberculosis

Our advocacy against Pulmonary Tuberculosis last August seems to be paying off. Last week, about 7 patients went to the Main health center for consultation, all were suspecting to have Pulmonary Tuberculosis. Sputum specimens were collected and even Chest X-rays were requested for some. Before this week ended, our microscopists were able to finish examining their sputum specimens and so far, about 5 of them turned out to be sputum AFB (acid-fast bacilli) positive. All five were then asked to return to the Main Health center's TB DOTS together with their treatment partner to start their 6-months treatment. All anti-Koch's medications are given free for the entire 6 months of treatment. Follow up sputum examinations are also free. The treatment partner, who is usually a Barangay Health Worker or Midwife, ensures that the medications are taken on a daily basis. Two of those who turned out positive are active Philhealth members.

Our midwife microscopists are on a roll here and they are also getting excited. Many of the BHS midwives are also on the hunt for more symptomatic patients. One BHS midwife told her BHW's that they will be receiving incentives in case they can find symptomatic patients who will turn out to be sputum positive (or if not, at least Chest X-ray positive, after being confirmed by the TB Diagnostic Committee in Bacolod).

We are hoping we can at least have 10 TB positive patients this quarter so we can increase our Case Detection Rate. I am hopeful that we can find more TB patients and initiate treatment so that they can get cured of their disease and prevent the spread of TB as well. By December, we might already start out TB in Children program.