A satellite treatment center for tuberculosis patients in Negros Oriental was officially launched Thursday in simple rites graced by health officials from the city, province and the region.
Assistant Provincial Health Officer Dr. Edgardo Barredo said the Negros Oriental Chest Clinic Dispensary satellite treatment center is expected to house TB patients being managed by rural health units and city health offices so proper care and treatment will be undertaken and given focus to eliminate if not reduce TB cases in the province.
According to Barredo, it would be best and ideal for TB patients to stay in the facility for a few days so the administration of their medicines can be monitored for good compliance.
However, in the absence of a halfway home, local government units and their respective families are requested to take care of them until such time the facility is built.
Management of TB is so much different compared to the last 30 years when injectables are used. To date, TB patients can come to the facility for their medication as outpatients unless there are complications such as pneumonia, which requires an admission.
Records show Negros Oriental is next to Cebu in the number of TB patients. In 2014, total number of TB cases in the province was 3,121, the highest number of which was in Dumaguete City with 529.
For this year, the first three quarters registered 2,434 TB cases all over the province and 375 are from Dumaguete with at least one multi-drug-resistant TB patient.
Barredo said the number of TB cases is growing due to the increased detection rate with the intensified involvement of the primary, district and community hospitals all over the province. He added that the conduct of regular medical missions under the leadership of Gov. Roel Degamo has also contributed in the increased detection rate due to the presence of the mobile x-ray machines and doctors who conduct free check up and consultation.
Meanwhile, the site launching was marred with a mini protest initiated by more or less 50 residents who live in the vicinity of the facility.
Village chief Osias Pino disclosed his constituents are vehemently against the re-opening of the facility for health reasons and that the facility has reopened without a public consultation held.
He cited provisions of Section 16 of the local government code, under the general welfare clause, that every local government unit shall exercise the powers expressly granted, to ensure and support, among other things, the preservation and enrichment of culture, promote health and safety, enhance the right of the people to a balanced ecology, among others.
A nursing assistant whose residence is located few meters from the TB pavilion believes the barangay was by-passed in the absence of a public consultation regarding the reopening of the facility.
As a caregiver, Anthony Benjie Mapili could still remember that when he has an on the job training at the provincial hospital, they were barred from going inside the isolation area for TB patients, only to be confronted with a situation where the facility itself is situated at their very doorstep.
Mapili also questioned the lack of proper waste disposal system of the facility. The rest of the residents are not totally against the reopening of the facility, if it is only for outpatients.
Dr. Rommel Masing, the assigned physician of the facility, has clarified the facility has never ceased to operate at all since more than 20 years ago. The residents may not have noticed the presence of patients inside the TB pavilion because all of them are outpatients and they just come for check up and for the administration of their medicines, he pointed out.
Dr. Sharon Zenith Laurel, who is the first doctor of the PMDT treatment center in Eversly Child Sanitarium in Mandaue City before her stint with the regional office, told the surrounding community there’s nothing to be worried about because the satellite treatment center is an open space facility with 100 percent air exchange. Once the droplets are out in the air, it will die in a few seconds, it can’t stay longer due to the heat of the sun, unless one is exposed and during infection the immune system is weak.
She said it is imperative for the TB patients to be enrolled at the facility for proper education on how to prevent the spread of the disease, and they will be advised how to wear masks, not to spit anywhere and religiously take their medications with good compliance.
Dr. Laurel pointed out medications for a MDR-TB patient is very effective even with one week strict compliance if inside the facility, and with correct dosage of medicines without missing a single dose he or she will be less infectious.
She cautioned that TB medicines not religiously taken by an ordinary TB patient will evolve into a multi-drug resistant TB. (PNA/JFP/Juancho Gallarde)
