• CHRYSEE G. SAMILLANO
An ordinance strengthening the implementation of the tuberculosis elimination efforts in the City of Bacolod to attain a TB free city, was recently passed by the Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod on first reading.
The ordinance authored by Councilor Claudio Puentevella said TB remains a major public health concern in the country, and in particular the city of Bacolod, where the estimated TB cases for 2017 runs to about 1,323 based on the current formula provided by the National TB Program, despite the percentage accomplishment of identified TB patients completing treatment at 95 percent which is above the recommended national standard of 90 percent.
The incidence of drug-resistant (DR) TB showing an increasing trend the becoming a public health threat, it said.
The level of awareness of Programmatic Management of Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis (PMDT) is low and is persisting to become a challenge to the national program. Thus, there is an urgent need to re-tool the health workers of the city of PMDT as an integrated activity in the Directly Observed Treatment Short-Course (DOTSC) facility, the ordinance said.
The family members of the person with TB plays a key role in the care and support of TB patients, as well as in controlling the spread of infection, it said.
The ordinance said the identified hesitancy on the part of the family members to vouch their support for their TB patient is mainly influenced by stigma and financial constraints (i.e. travel expenses, food, board and logging allowances) especially those residing in far-flung barangays where access to the needed health services is difficult and might need the support of barangay officials and/or their respective community volunteers (CVs).
A two-way referral system must be strengthened among the network of health care service providers within the city for case finding, consultation, diagnosis completed proper treatment including the mandatory reporting of patients with TB to the National Tuberculosis Control (NTP), it said.
The success of TB treatment depends on the patient’s adherence, support and encouragement from the treatment partner, the patient’s family and the support of the community, it added.
The ordinance to be known as the “Tuberculosis-Free City of Bacolod,” provides that the amount of at least P1 million annually and an increase of 5 percent per year thereafter, will be appropriated for the implementation of this ordinance and disbursement will be approved by the City Mayor subject to the usual accounting and auditing procedures.
The ordinance said funds will be released to the City Health Office and allocated as follows: monitoring and supervisory visits; laboratory equipment and maintenance; contingency for TB drugs, logistics and supplies; support to drug susceptible or drug resistant TB (e.g. transportation, meals, bond and lodging, others); in kind or monetary incentives for the cured TB patients and treatment partners (CVs); support for capability building activities; and health promotion activities, it said.*
