“Amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, let’s not forget to contain the most contagious disease in the world: Tuberculosis (TB).”
This was the message of Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP) National President and Quirino Gov. Dax Cua, who on Friday stressed that the government should continue to focus on other dangerous diseases like TB as it works to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
“Since early detection is critical, TB screening facilities, being the cornerstone in TB treatment and control, should be made accessible.”
Speaking at the 2020 Race to End TB Awards organized by the Department of Health, the Quirino governor said that “with the COVID-19 pandemic, managing TB, a deadly ailment and the number one most contagious disease in the world, has never been more challenging.”
“Despite the community quarantine and restrained mobility, it is vital to reach out and establish regular contact with those undergoing medication for TB. The key to curing TB is consistent treatment, and mechanisms should be put in place in monitoring, checking and ensuring completion of treatment,” said the ULAP head.
Cua pointed out that before the COVID-19 pandemic, almost three Filipinos die each hour due to TB. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a total of 1.4 million people died from TB in 2019 worldwide, while an estimated 10 million people fell ill with the disease.
“Our race to end TB Campaign focuses on building empowered, responsible, and responsive LGUs,” said the former legislator.
Cua announced that “our goal is to reduce TB burden by 2025 and end TB by 2035; to achieve this, we need to improve TB management and control through effective local health governance – through the promotion and implementation of TB prevention programs.”
“ULAP encourages its members to serve as advocates and to lead efforts to protect patients from TB and Covid-19. LGUs need to strengthen and integrate TB management in our local health system and to craft policies designed to show our commitment to fight TB,” he explained.
Cua added that it is crucial that health and medical services for TB during this time of the pandemic be made available so that patients have full access to screening, diagnostic, treatment and support services.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a total of 1.4 million people died from TB in 2019 worldwide, while an estimated 10 million people fell ill with the disease.
“Since early detection is critical, TB screening facilities, being the cornerstone in TB treatment and control, should be made accessible,” emphasized Cua.
Cua said that ULAP believes “that sustainable TB programs require good and effective governance, strong political will with adequate financing, reliable data, management systems, capable and efficient human resources, and an organized network for service delivery.”
“Ang ULAP po ay sumasaludo sa mga local government units na nagpakita ng galing at inobasyon para matugunan at masugpo ang TB sa kani-kanilang bayan, siyudad, lalawigan at rehiyon,” said the local chief executive.
“Kasama ng Department of Health at ibang kawani ng ating gobyerno, World Health Organization, ang TB Platforms ng USAID at iba pang mga partners, dadalhin po natin ito sa ating mga lokal na pamahalaan. Tutukan po natin at sisiguraduhing maabot natin ang ating mga objectives.”