The provincial government of Negros Oriental, represented by Governor Roel Degamo, authorities from the Department of Health and local health authorities on Friday signed a memorandum of understanding for the implementation of the Hospital DOTS program.
Hospital implementation of the TB DOTS (Tuberculosis Directly Observed Treatment, Short-Course) is considered a milestone in the implementation of TB prevention and control program in the province.
The signing of the MOU means that out of the 17 hospitals in the province, 16 will be involved in the Hospital TB DOTS implementation.
According to Dr. Socrates Villamor, team leader of the provincial office of the Department of Health, the program basically covers the roles of the hospitals, the DOH and the Rural Health Units in terms of the referral system of TB symptomatic patients.
The DOH provides assistance to these facilities such as free treatment and medication and even free X-ray films for the province’s MagDegamo Ta mobile X-ray unit.
Latest data shows that the province has a low case detection rate and has not reached its target of 85 percent in 2013 but it reached its target Treatment Success Rate of 90 percent in the same year, said Dr. Villamor.
Available statistics on TB in the province show that while the national target for case detection rate is at 85 percent, Negros Oriental only acquired a 63 percent rate in 2013.
The province’s 2013 Treatment Success Rate was pegged at 93 percent, higher than the national target of 90 percent.
As of 2014, reported TB cases (all forms) in Negros Oriental reached 1,492.
Dr. Edgardo Barredo, chief of the Integrated Provincial Hospital Office, disclosed that for several years, TB was among the leading cases of morbidity in the province.
However, it was not in the list of top 10 leading causes of death in Negros Oriental and if the data is accurate, there is a significant reduction in TB incident last year. However, he was unable to give the exact number of cases.
Barredo said he is happy with the signing of the MOU because 43 percent of TB symptomatic patients seek care or consultation at the district hospitals and community primary hospitals.
Now that these hospitals are engaged as partners in the anti-TB campaign, Dr. Barredo said he believes there is a possibility of increased detection rate of symptomatic patients which will lead to early diagnosis, management and treatment.
Among the initiatives of the province to increase case detection/case finding include the provincial allocation for TB control program of P600,000, the Magdegamo Medical Mission and free x-ray using the Mobile X-ray van of the province, and the provincial TB Team that provides technical assistance and regular monitoring and evaluation of the TB control program and ensures its implementation is at par with standards set by national policies. (PNA/JFP)
