Lubuagan MHO holds Tuberculosis screening for vulnerable clients

Lubuagan, Kalinga - The Municipal Health Office of Lubuagan recently conducted a screening test for Tuberculosis (TB) to its constituents who are vulnerable to the disease in order to give immediate treatment, prevent its further infection and at the same time raise awareness.

“There is a need to conduct such activity to monitor and provide TB services, especially to those confirmed cases,” said DOH- Health Human Resource Nurse Ceasar Manalwap of the MHO.

Through an activity dubbed as the TB Caravan held Tuesday, April 05, 2022 at Lubuagan’s Eco-Tourism Center, the screening was done particularly for yLubuagens who are TB Symptomatic; senior citizens; persons with co-morbidities like hypertension, diabetes, asthma, Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), among others; smokers, alcoholics, and undernourished children.

Manalwap said that the screening was given free with the help of their partner, the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), RCG Premier Foundation Inc. who assisted them in providing an easy mechanism for the TB screening which included Chest X-Ray and Gene Expert Test.

“Yung Chest X-Ray, ginagawa natin ito through an imaging tool for easy identification of lung abnormalities, habang yun Gene expert Test naman ay ito yung bacteriological test or sputum test na ginagawa para ma-detect kung merong TB ang ating pasiyente,” Manalwap explained.

The health office has performed a chest X-Ray to 54 yLubuagens and 17 Gene Expert Test.

“If a patient’s sputum is found to be positive for TB, the office shall provide anti-TB drugs. And if sputum is detected in Xray, we need more assessment, the patient shall be referred to treatment,” he further explained.

As of this writing, the health office is awaiting screening test results. Manalwap assured that in case results show TB-positive, the health office is prepared to provide aid to the patient.

TB is Curable

“There is no need to fear about TB”, Manalwap said citing World Health Organization as he made certain that the disease is a preventable and curable disease.

However, he strongly encourages all yLubuagens especially those vulnerable to the disease to take advantage of TB Caravan activities or visit the MHO for them to be checked, and have access to adequate care, support, and treatment in time in case they are found to have the disease.

He also warned that if TB is not treated, this may cause severe damage to their health.

“According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 66 million lives were saved through TB diagnosis and treatment between 2000 and 2020. So napaka-importante talaga ang screening and testing na ito,” he said.

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