DOH-XI continues intensified campaign to raise awareness about disease
THE DEPARTMENT of Health (DOH-XI) confirmed 10,363 tuberculosis (TB) cases in Davao Region for the first six months of this year.
During the Kapihan sa PIA on Aug. 4, Annabelle Yumang, DOH-XI regional director, said that, for comparison, they only monitored 16,147 TB cases for the entire 12 months of 2022.
But she attributed the rising cases to their intensified campaign for TB.
“Intensive ang atoang case findings using our chest X-ray. Our method (before) sa pag examine, gitawag nato’g sputum examination, nga kung dili ensakto ang plema nga mahatag, dili jud siya mu-detect (Our method before when examining TB is through sputum examination, that whenever the pleghm given is not enough, it won’t be able to detect). So, this time, ma-detect na gyud siya kay gigamitan na nato og chest X-rays, ” Yumang said.
Yumang said there are 344 cases in Davao Occidental; 1,247 in Davao del Sur; 2,315 in Davao City; 2,209 in Davao del Norte; 1,359 in Davao de Oro; and 889 in Davao Oriental.
She also urged the public to see a doctor, especially if they are already experiencing TB symptoms.
“Kung pananglitan ang usa ka tawo aduna na’y two weeks nga ubo, dili ni siya dapat nga taguan lang, magpakonsulta jud siya. Para pud mahibal-an nato kung unsa gyud iyahang gibati (If ever the person is already experiencing a cough for more than two weeks, they should not hide it. Instead, ask for a consultation. This is also a way for us to assess their condition,” Yumang said.
Yumang said some of the TB symptoms include two successive weeks of coughing, severe weight loss, low-grade fever, night sweats, and traces of blood in phlegm.
The Department of Health XI continues to intensify its campaign against TB by visiting far-flung areas, municipalities, and provinces, in partnership with the Philippine Business for Social Progress.
